GOOD NEWS: U.S. Post-Consumer Plastic Recovery Surpasses 5.1 Billion Pounds.

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The U.S. recycling industry reached a major milestone in 2024, recovering more than 5.1 billion pounds of post-consumer plastic, according to the latest U.S. Post-Consumer Plastic Recycling Study released by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), the U.S. Plastics Pact, NAPCOR, and Stina Inc. The report shows a 2.3% increase over 2022, driven largely by strong gains in plastic film recycling, which climbed to 1.317 billion pounds recovered. While plastic bottle recycling declined slightly, the overall increase highlights continued progress in expanding America’s recycling infrastructure despite weak demand for recycled materials and competition from low-cost virgin plastics. The study also found that nearly 94% of recovered plastic remained in North America for processing, supporting domestic manufacturing, sustainability initiatives, and the circular economy. Industry leaders say the record recovery demonstrates growing momentum for U.S. plastic recycling while emphasizing the need for greater investment, stronger end markets, and increased use of recycled content to sustain future growth.

 

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July 29, 2026 at 11:08 AM