By Dan Felton, President & CEO, Flexible Packaging Association
Most recycling policies aim to fix problems after they appear. Flexible film recycling takes a different path, with stakeholders working together early to make the system stronger before issues arise. Across the country, manufacturers, recyclers, and retailers are collaborating to expand collection access, strengthen domestic recycling capacity, and improve transparency in recovery outcomes. The first report from the Plastics Industry Association’s (PLASTICS) Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA)shows that these efforts are making real progress.
Flexible films are popular because they are lightweight, efficient, and highly effective at protecting food, medical products, and essential goods. However, traditional curbside recycling systems were built primarily for rigid materials. Flexible films require distinct collection and processing pathways to be recovered effectively at scale.
To address this gap, industry leaders established the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance. Supported by companies across the plastics and packaging value chain, FFRA is accelerating practical solutions in collection access, consumer education, verification standards, and end-market development.
Why Flexible Film Recycling Matters
Flexible packaging delivers measurable sustainability benefits during use. It reduces material consumption, lowers transportation-related emissions, and helps prevent food waste by keeping products fresh longer.
To get the most environmental benefits, recovery systems must evolve alongside packaging innovation. FFRA was created to help drive that evolution through coordinated, scalable collaboration.
What FFRA’s First Report Demonstrates
Earlier this year, FFRA released its first impact report, providing a data-driven roadmap for expanding access and quantifying outcomes.
Key developments include:
- A national directory connecting consumers to more than 20,000 drop-off locations across all 50 states and Puerto Rico
- Expanded collaboration with retailers and recycling partners to enhance collection systems
- Development of a verification framework designed to improve transparency and accountability in reported recycling outcomes
- Engagement in state-level policy discussions to ensure alternative collection systems are appropriately recognized
These steps are important for building a stronger flexible film recycling system across the United States
The Federal Policy Dimension
Flexible film recycling intersects directly with federal priorities, including:
- Recycling infrastructure modernization
- Circular economy and waste reduction initiatives
- Extended producer responsibility (EPR) policy design
- Domestic recycling capacity development
- Consumer education and labeling clarity
As Congress and federal agencies evaluate legislation and regulations impacting packaging, it is essential to fully consider the sustainability advantages that flexible packaging delivers—not only during manufacturing, but throughout its entire lifecycle and use, and the infrastructure investments required to optimize recovery. Good policy can accelerate innovation, support domestic recycling markets, and ensure practical pathways continue to scale.
FPA’s Commitment
The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) participates in and supports the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance because meaningful progress depends on collaboration, credible data, and scalable solutions.
We aim to provide policymakers with accurate information about what is working, where gaps remain, and how policy can support measurable environmental outcomes without losing the benefits flexible packaging provides to food systems, healthcare, and supply chains.
Flexible film recycling is moving forward. With continued partnership between industry and policymakers, progress can accelerate, strengthening sustainability, economic resilience, and consumer confidence.
