{"id":10898,"date":"2025-12-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-19T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=10898"},"modified":"2025-12-19T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T05:00:00","slug":"film-recycling-market-expectations-and-the-power-of-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=10898","title":{"rendered":"Film Recycling: Market Expectations and the Power of Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Across the packaging industry, 2025 has delivered more than its fair share of change and disruption. Seven U.S. states now have active Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)<\/a> laws, with several regulatory and reporting deadlines occurring this year. As a resin supplier of both virgin and recycled plastics, we see firsthand the way these laws and their structures have important implications for the future of plastic packaging. The next year is a critical time for well-designed recycling policy to both help drive PCR plastic innovation and build robust end markets for recycled materials.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the recycling industry has faced financial and supply difficulties. While some organizations have worked to increase recycling capacity and efficacy, other recycling facilities have closed their doors. Feedstock quality and availability have been unpredictable, and overall adoption of PCR materials has been slow. Even within this mixed landscape, however, we still believe that plastic recycling is an essential pursuit for all brand owners and producers as part of a strategy rooted in long-term market resilience and strong brand positioning.<\/p>\n

Our outlook for 2026 predicts that the next year will continue to test recyclers\u2019 adaptability, but it also holds opportunities for committed organizations to lay the foundation for successful, scalable recycling systems. With thoughtful policies and industry collaborations, we can make significant strides to expand recycling infrastructure<\/a> and increase the use of PCR plastic in high-value applications.<\/p>\n

Designing for Recycling Includes Flexible Films<\/h3>\n

Flexible packaging remains one of the fastest growing segments in the packaging industry due to its material efficiency and functionality. Flexible films enable thinner, lighter packages, but they are recycled at much lower percentages than most rigid containers. This means that capturing and recycling flexible films represents a significant potential feedstock source for recyclers, and keeping flexible packaging out of landfills is a priority for PCR producers.<\/p>\n

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