Football pro bowler scores with Super Bowl recycling message

Recycled content in packaging is an aspect of sustainability that can add a lot of value. It can help companies reach greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals. It also helps reduce waste and demonstrates to customers that the brand owner cares about using resources wisely.

P&G recently announced it’s increasing post-consumer recycled (PCR) high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in laundry care bottles; Method developed a bottle using 100% PCR PET for its laundry detergent.

You know what makes even more recycled content possible? A growing, reliable, steady stream of consistent, high-quality material.

That’s why we were excited to partner with former Pro Bowler Ovie Mughelli, who reminded Americans to recycle at their Super Bowl parties, and every day. Mughelli played for the Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens and now uses his OMF Green foundation to educate youth about sustainability and recycling. In the weeks leading up to Super Bowl 50, he appeared on more than a dozen morning television and radio shows including several nationally syndicated programs, and in top 30 markets like Atlanta, Raleigh and Cleveland.

In the plastics industry, we’re making great gains with recycled plastics. In 2014, we saw a big spike in non-bottle rigid plastics recovery. Americans recycled nearly 1.3 billion pounds of rigid containers, 27% more than just a year before. More than a billion pounds of polyethylene plastic film wraps and bags are recycled annually, 79% more than 2005. And the plastic bottle collection rate reached 32% in 2014—with increases in the collection of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), HDPE and polypropylene (PP) bottles.

We want that growth to continue, and the Super Bowl is a great opportunity to remind Americans of the opportunities to recycle more of the plastic packaging in their everyday lives. As members of the plastics and packaging industry, we can each play a role in getting the word out about recycling more. Check out Ovie’s video and share it wherever you can—on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Recently named a “Rising Star” in Plastics News, Emily Tipaldo leads the Plastics Division’s Packaging Team at The American Chemistry Council, representing eight major resin suppliers. She advocates for legislation, regulatory policies and value chain initiatives that recognize plastic packaging as a valuable resource with multiple sustainability benefits. Tipaldo also leads the packaging team in the quest for better waste management and recycling approaches to increase landfill diversion and prevent marine debris. You can read more of Tipaldo’s thoughts on The American Chemistry Council’s Plastic Packaging Perspectives.