Procter & Gamble Joins National Effort to Recycle Flexible Plastic Wraps, Bags

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Apr 8, 2015) -  ACC is pleased to announce that the Procter & Gamble Co. (NYSE: PG) has joined the Flexible Film Recycling Group (FFRG), a self-funded group that is driving unprecedented growth in the recovery of flexible polyethylene (PE) film, wraps and bags.

"Optimizing and recovering packaging is a key part of our sustainability mission at P&G," said Stephen Sikra, P&G Research and Development Manager. "Our aim is to reduce our environmental footprint as a Company and that of the consumers who choose our products. Working with the FFRG and our value chain partners to expand film collection and recycling is a focused priority as we work toward that goal."

"We're extremely pleased to be working with P&G," said Shari Jackson, director of FFRG. "National efforts to educate consumers about the recyclability of bags and wraps are already paying off, and having P&G on board will help extend our reach even further." 

The recycling of postconsumer plastic film surged 116 million pounds, or 11 percent, in 2013 to reach a reported 1.14 billion pounds, according to a recent national report. This marks the highest annual collection of plastic film -- a category that includes product wraps, bags and commercial stretch film made primarily from PE for recycling, since the survey began in 2005.

Through its partnership initiatives, FFRG has supported the Sustainable Packaging Coalition's (SPC) "store drop-off" label for plastic film packaging and helped to establish film recycling pilot programs around the country. In addition, FFRG is partnering with SPC and the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers on the Wrap Action Recycling Program, or WRAP, which makes it easier for state and municipal governments, brands and retailers to increase awareness of opportunities to recycle used PE wraps at local stores.

Founding members of the Flexible Film Recycling Group include Dow Chemical, ExxonMobil, Chevron Phillips, Berry Plastics, Wisconsin Film and Bag, Sealed Air Corporation, SC Johnson, Avangard and Trex.

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The American Chemistry Council (ACC) represents the leading companies engaged in the business of chemistry. ACC members apply the science of chemistry to make innovative products and services that make people's lives better, healthier and safer. ACC is committed to improved environmental, health and safety performance through Responsible Care^®, common sense advocacy designed to address major public policy issues, and health and environmental research and product testing. The business of chemistry is a $760 billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. It is the largest exporting sector in the U.S., accounting for 12 percent of U.S. exports. Chemistry companies are among the largest investors in research and development. Safety and security have always been primary concerns of ACC members, and they have intensified their efforts, working closely with government agencies to improve security and to defend against any threat to the nation's critical infrastructure.