Film Recycling Frameworks

The Alliance to End Plastic Waste unveiled film recycling frameworks aimed at strengthening recycling infrastructure and advancing circular economy outcomes for flexible plastics. The initiative is supported by a report that identifies systemic measures needed to improve flexible film recycling performance and the quality of recycled materials.

Key priorities include segregated waste collection and advanced secondary sorting to enable the production of homogeneous, high-quality recycling feedstock, supported by technologies such as digital watermarking and artificial intelligence–based material recognition.

The report also highlights the importance of developing stable end markets for recycled materials through policy mechanisms such as Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks and mandatory Post-Consumer Recycled content targets. These measures help reduce investment risk and encourage infrastructure upgrades. Additional enablers include financial incentives to attract capital, design-for-recyclability guidelines to simplify material choices, and eco-modulated EPR fees that reward recyclable, cost-efficient packaging. The Alliance’s 'Flexibles Program' seeks to demonstrate system-level solutions and support regulatory compliance in Europe and North America.

Image Credit: