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Demilec, Publix and Recycling Partnership receive Innovation in Plastics Recycling Award

The American Chemistry Council (ACC; Washington, DC) announced that Demilec Inc., Publix and The Recycling Partnership have been selected to receive the 2015 Innovation in Plastics Recycling Award. The program recognizes companies and nonprofits that successfully bring new technologies, products and initiatives to communities and the marketplace that demonstrate significant advances in plastics recycling. ACC announced the awards in recognition of America Recycles Day.

Clare Goldsberry

November 21, 2015

2 Min Read
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"Each of these organizations is a leader in recycling innovation, and their contributions will likely inspire ongoing contributions to the rapidly growing field of plastics recycling," said Steve Russell, Vice President, Plastics, at the American Chemistry Council.

Demilec Inc. converts polyethylene terephthalate (PET) scrap into polyols, which can be used in its spray foam insulation products. The company has recycled more than 300 million plastic bottles into spray foam insulation products in recent years and expects to recycle more than 35 million plastic bottles into high-performing spray foam insulation in 2015. In addition to the environmental benefits of plastics recycling, spray foam insulation helps to dramatically increase energy efficiency in homes and buildings.

Publix-Super Markets has established itself as a leader in recycling rigid plastic packaging, such as commercial-sized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) containers. With more than 1,100 stores and nine distribution centers, Publix optimized its back-of-store recycling stream through the use of vertical and horizontal balers that produce large, dense bales of clean plastic material for recycling. The result is tons of high-quality plastics that are separated, baled and made available to recyclers each week.

The Recycling Partnership (TRP) facilitates public-private partnerships to significantly boost curbside recycling programs. Over the last 15 months, TRP has provided 115,000 large recycling carts and improved public education in four cities: Florence, AL; Columbia, SC; Richmond, VA; and East Lansing, MI. Thanks to TRP's efforts, 18,000 additional households now have access to a recycling program that collects wide mouth plastic containers in addition to bottles. Cumulatively these efforts are expected to recover an additional 22 million pounds of plastics over the next 10 years.

ACC's Innovations in Plastics Recycling Awards contest is open to all U.S. companies, nonprofits, individuals and government bodies (including schools) that collect or process plastics for recycling, promote plastics recycling through education and infrastructure, manufacture equipment used to collect or process plastics for recycling, or manufacture a new product made in whole or part from recycled plastic.

About the Author

Clare Goldsberry

Until she retired in September 2021, Clare Goldsberry reported on the plastics industry for more than 30 years. In addition to the 10,000+ articles she has written, by her own estimation, she is the author of several books, including The Business of Injection Molding: How to succeed as a custom molder and Purchasing Injection Molds: A buyers guide. Goldsberry is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. She reflected on her long career in "Time to Say Good-Bye."

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