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Updates Reflect Current Market Acceptance and Evolving Recyclable Materials 

(Washington, DC) – The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) and The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) today announced the latest update to the ISRI Scrap Specifications Circular and APR Model Bale Specifications to include updated recycled plastics specifications. Following a collaborative process between the two organizations and their members, the specifications were approved at the ReMA Board and Governance Meetings on July 14, 2022, and also approved by the APR Board of Directors on August 2, 2022. These specification additions are intended to more accurately reflect the recycled plastic materials currently being traded in the marketplace.

“The ISRI Specs Circular is a living document representing the dynamic recycled materials industry. The changes being announced today culminate two years of work by dedicated volunteers in ISRI’s Plastics and Nonferrous Divisions,” said ReMA President Robin Wiener. “Additionally, I am grateful to our partnership with the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), which allowed us to work together to harmonize our specifications across all segments of the industry.”

As a result of technological innovations – including optical sorters, robotics and the application of artificial intelligence - the industry can now sort and process plastics for recycling more effectively than ever before. However, the continually evolving packaging and recycling streams mean that updated bale specifications and recycling-compatible package design remain critical to maintain and improve recycled material quality.

The specifications also highlight changes to the recycling stream brought on by the pandemic. As with many areas of society, the pandemic had unforeseen consequences on the recycled materials industry. The increased use of disposable face masks and other medical equipment caused these nonrecyclable materials to inadvertently enter the recycling stream. The new specifications make it clear that these nonrecyclables are not acceptable.

Another challenge addressed by the new specifications is the increased use of batteries in all types of consumer products, particularly lithium ion. These batteries have been improperly entering the recycling stream causing safety issues for recycling facilities and employees. The new specifications make it clear that batteries should not be placed into the recycling stream by classifying them as disallowed contaminants in all plastics bale specifications. 

“The APR was pleased to collaborate with ReMA to ensure consistency across the plastics recycling industry,” said Steve Alexander, APR President & CEO. “These model bale specifications facilitate greater understanding of the packaging/products commonly accepted by reclaimers for recycling, and also provide insight for the broader marketplace and value chain.”

The APR plastic model bale specifications provide industry-developed guidelines for recycling market acceptance of various post-consumer (including some post-commercial) recycled plastic bales. They are not intended to replace the specifications of individual buyers that may allow or prohibit different contents or bale sizes.

The model bale specifications:

• Provide a benchmark for producers/sellers (e.g., MRFs or commercial generators) for the production of quality recycled plastic bale commodities
• Facilitate greater understanding of the packaging/products commonly accepted by reclaimers for recycling
• Provide clear specifications that help improve bale quality and contribute to higher recycled resin yields and quality
• Facilitate communication between bale producers/sellers and purchasers (e.g., plastic reclaimers)
• Provide insight for the broader marketplace and value chain, from plastic package and product developers to other stakeholders and decision makers

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The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the "Voice of the Recycling Industry™." ReMA represents 1,300 companies in the U.S. and more than 40 countries that process, broker, and consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics, and textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides education, advocacy, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development. Generating nearly $117 billion annually in U.S. economic activity, the scrap recycling industry provides more than 506,000 Americans with good jobs.

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is The Voice of Plastics Recycling^®. As the international trade association representing the plastics recycling industry, membership includes independent recycling companies of all sizes, processing numerous resins, as well as consumer product companies, equipment manufacturers, testing laboratories, organizations, and others committed to the success of plastics recycling. APR advocates the recycling of all plastics. Visit www.PlasticsRecyling.org  for more information.