As the world becomes increasingly concerned about the climate crisis, the use of petroleum-based products, and the proliferation of plastic waste—both in landfills and elsewhere—plastic packaging has been in the center of the discussion. To gain a better understanding of how recycling is affecting this issue with the potential of bringing some level of sustainability to plastic packaging, I spoke with Kara Pochiro, the Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs at the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). As the international trade association representing the plastics recycling industry, membership in the Association 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.

The ultimate goal, of course, would be to reach a state where the vast majority of plastic materials are recycled for use in place of virgin feedstocks in a circular economy model. We are a long way from that state of affairs, but the progress being made, both in adoption and in technology, is encouraging.

WhatTheyThink:  What are some of the differences in plastic recycling between Europe and the U.S.?