USA: Goal Is to Increase Residential Recovery of Old Corrugated Containers

Corrugated packaging and recycling industry groups recently met to review recommendations for increasing residential recovery of old corrugated containers (OCC), the Fibre Box Association (FBA) reported in June.

The recommendations are a result of research for the Fibre Box Association (FBA), a non-profit trade association that represents North American corrugated packaging manufacturers. In this research, more than 1,000 Americans were asked about their residential OCC recycling practices. According to the information, the corrugated packaging is the most widely recycled packaging material with a recovery rate near 90 percent for the past seven years.

To retain this leadership role, the corrugated industry is exploring how shifts in consumer purchasing patterns could impact recovery. The corrugated packaging and recycling industry groups recognized the need for a renewed focus on promoting the recyclability of OCC. They agreed to pursue a broad set of initiatives to help increase recovery:
■ Promote the use of carts instead of bins for curbside collection of OCC where applicable to accommodate greater collection;
■ support efforts to match the frequency of recycling and trash collection to provide equal access to recycling;
■ establish clear and harmonized messages and graphics for household recovery of OCC including what can be recycled and how to do it;
■ develop more direct recycling messages on boxes to remind consumers to recycle;
■ work with additional groups on recycling education to increase understanding and encourage recycling behaviors;
■ support the development of building codes that make recycling easy for multi-family dwellings;
■ encourage replication of successful multi-family and rural recovery programs.

As reported, the groups believe in a renewed focus on its recyclability and will spur additional recovery efforts. The meeting led by FBA included AICC – The Independent Packaging Association, American Forest & Paper Association, AMERIPEN, Institute for Scrap Recycling Industries, Waste Management, and member companies Cascades, Dusobox, Georgia-Pacific, International Paper, Kruger, PCA, Pratt Industries and WestRock.

Photo: O. Kürth

GR 2/2018