Partnership Creates Closed Loop System for Post-consumer Materials

Berry Global Group, Inc. recently announced its formal agreement with Georgia-Pacific Recycling to collaborate in creating a closed loop system to recover, segregate and reprocess post-consumer resin (PCR). The two companies share a long working history and will now harness their expertise in their respective disciplines to increase domestic recovery of plastics in support of the transition toward a more circular economy.

Through this agreement, the companies will partner across the multiple steps of the material supply chain to create a stream of PCR, which is not only reliable but also of suitably high quality to supplement or displace virgin resin in specific applications.

Georgia-Pacific Recycling will use its national network of recycled material suppliers and logistics providers to procure and transport the post-consumer plastic material to be recycled. Berry will reprocess the plastic material to incorporate into its broad portfolio of polyethylene (PE) film and polypropylene products.

“As the demand for PCR continues to increase, it is critical we find ways to supplement the market of recycled content through multiple methods, be it mechanical recycling, chemical recycling or other methods and processes,” said Tom Salmon, chairman and CEO of Berry Global, in a statement. “We are excited to recover these PE films that we ourselves manufacture and give them a second life, providing not only a recycling solution for our customers but also a stream of recycled content for them.”

“With nearly 50 years of experience in the recycling industry, our business continues to grow and evolve as the market now rapidly changes,” said Marc Forman, president of Georgia-Pacific Recycling, in a statement. “This partnership with Berry exemplifies our ability to provide nationwide recycling solutions for plastic, paper and metals. Partnering with suppliers and producers helps us collaboratively meet the growing demands of consumers and society for increased use of recycled material.”

The companies plan to begin material collection in the first quarter of this year and will begin reprocessing in the second quarter.