A new effort to study end market demand for various types of recycled plastics is under way, and organizers are seeking participation.
Moore Recycling Associates is conducting the online survey to gather information on the post-consumer resin market in the United States and Canada.
Researchers are seeking input from manufacturers, converters, brands companies and others that have the potential to drive demand for post-consumer plastics.
“Recycling is not sustainable without robust end markets. Currently there is a wide and growing gap between supply and demand, the end market demand survey is needed to raise this issue to the forefront and initiate actions to close this gap,” said Dave Heglas, senior director of material resources at Trex Co. Inc., in a statement.
With funding from plastic industry trade groups including the American Chemistry Council, Association of Plastic Recyclers and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, the study seeks to gather information about the demand, quality requirements and barriers for using recycled polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PET and PVC.
“Many companies looking to incorporate recycled materials into the design of their products are not familiar with the many types of recycled plastics that are available on the marketplace. This survey will help the industry understand where recycled plastics are used and what requirements or barriers are in new applications,” said Rick Wagner, sustainability manager for Chevron Phillips Chemical Co., in a statement.
The End Market Demand Study is open now. Participants will receive immediate access to the final report when it is released.