"Curbside recycling programs in the U.S. recycle primarily plastic packaging.  In 2017, 1.89 M tons of plastic packaging was recycled. Almost 90% of that was two types of plastic: #1 PET which is used to make water and soda bottles; and #2 HDPE used in milk and juice jugs.  The recycling rate for PET was 29% in 2017 and 31% for HDPE.  Of the recycling stream that we manage at our recycling facilities, recyclable plastic makes up 4.7% of all the recyclables processed at our single stream material recovery facilities (MRFs).  The majority is PET and HDPE plastic, both of which have stable end-markets. All our residential plastic is recycled in North America.

Creating demand for materials plays a fundamental role in growing recycling tons. Polypropylene demand is a great example of new tons being profitably recycled due to growing end-market demand.  Market demand development for products with post-consumer content is critical to ensure that material will be manufactured into new products and recycling programs sustainable."