Two trade groups are coming together to create uniform recycled plastic bale specifications in an effort to improve efficiency.
The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries have found what they call common ground on specifications for three of the more popular grades of recycled plastics and plan to working on more.
New specifications cover the following categories: bulky rigids, tubs and lids with bulky, and tubs and lids without bulky, the groups said.
Both groups will still publish the specifications using common language that will avoid competing standards.
Those needing standards will no longer have to choose between competing information or disregard both sources, the groups said.
Both trade groups created the Plastic Scrap Specification Taskforce to tackle the issue.
“With the creation of uniform specifications, now everyone in the plastics recycling industry can speak the same language,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI, in a statement.
The task force, she said, will now work to find common ground for additional grades.
“The goal of APR is to secure more good material that is available for reclamation,” said Tom Busard, chairman of APR and vice president of Plastipak Corp., in a statement.