NAPCOR Publishes New White Paper, Increasing PET Thermoform Recycling

The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) today announced the release of a new white paper, “Increasing PET Thermoform Recycling,” aimed at California policymakers working to design and implement the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, Senate Bill (SB) 54, as well as any others developing extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation. The white paper discusses the many attributes and applications of PET thermoforms, the evolution of the industry, strategies to enhance PET thermoform recycling, and provides policy recommendations that support PET thermoforms' circularity. “Increasing PET Thermoform Recycling” was created collaboratively with the Circular PET Thermo-Forum, a coalition of 25 thermoform manufacturers and recyclers across North America (the US, Canada, and Mexico), and is available to download for free.

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PET (polyethylene terephthalate), easily identified by the #1 resin code, is a clear, durable, lightweight, versatile, and food-safe plastic. PET is the most recycled plastic in the world, and research shows that PET plastic packaging is better for our environment than alternatives such as aluminum and glass. Thermoformed PET—created by heating a PET plastic sheet until it becomes pliable, then shaping and trimming it into the desired form—is used for packaging produce, baked goods, dairy items, meat, eggs, ready-to-eat meals, electronics, toys, every household items, and much more. PET thermoforms’ ultimate recyclability makes it a preferred choice for companies looking for a sustainable packaging solution.

The release of the white paper comes at a critical time for California as Governor Newsom recently instructed CalRecycle, the state’s recycling agency, to begin SB 54 negotiations anew. As Daniel Villaseñor, Governor Newsom’s deputy director of communications, told the LA Times, “The governor is directing CalRecycle to restart these regulations to ensure California’s bold recycling law can achieve its goal of cutting plastic pollution and is implemented fairly.”

“Our members have a strong desire to see thermoform recycling succeed, but proper infrastructure, guidelines, and investments are needed to advance further PET thermoform circularity in California and elsewhere,” said Laura Stewart, executive director of NAPCOR. “We believe that the right collective action between policymakers, brand owners, producers, and recyclers will ultimately create a future where PET thermoforms contribute meaningfully to a sustainable supply chain and a circular economy—thereby reducing plastic pollution.”

The PET recycling industry has undergone substantial innovation and growth, demonstrating a significant evolution in its ability to handle diverse material streams without compromising the integrity of existing PET bottle recycling processes. Indeed, PET thermoform collection increased more than three-fold over the past twelve years, far outpacing the growth in bottle collection. Yet, as the white paper details, there is significant potential to increase recycling rates for PET thermoforms as a commingled stream with PET bottles or further separated into thermoform-only bales.

The white paper discusses why achieving circularity for PET thermoforms at an impactful scale is not just a possibility but an imperative for the future of sustainable packaging and the protection of our planet. Recycling advancement methods and collaborative efforts outlined in the white paper demonstrate the broad innovation already applied within the industry.

Increasing PET Thermoform Recycling concludes with three recommended policy approaches that NAPCOR and the Circular PET Thermo-Forum hope to see in the next iteration of SB 54: favorable fee eco-modulation, equitable responsible end market identification, and non-mechanical recycling pathways.

“There is no question that California and the nation can overcome hurdles to widespread PET thermoform recycling through additional targeted innovation, strategic policy alignment, and industry commitment,” said Plastic Ingenuity’s President & CEO and Chair of the Circular PET Thermo-Forum Dan Kuehn. “As the PET industry continues to evolve, embracing these solutions will enable a robust, circular economy where PET thermoforms are recycled and continuously reintegrated into the value chain.”

To learn more and access the free white paper, “Increasing PET Thermoform Recycling,” visit https://napcor.com/recycling/thermoform-recycling/.

About NAPCOR
Founded in 1987, the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) is the industry association for the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic packaging industry in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NAPCOR is dedicated to promoting the PET package, overcoming hurdles to successful PET recycling, and communicating the attributes of the PET container as a sustainable package. Learn more at https://napcor.com/.

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