Flexible Film Recycling Alliance Launches Commercial Recycling Pilot Programs in California

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA), a national organization dedicated to advancing the recovery and recycling of plastic film and flexible packaging, has announced the launch of two first-of-their-kind commercial recycling pilot programs in California.

The pilot programs are designed to generate real-world operational data on commercial film collection, inform future program development under California’s evolving recycling system and identify approaches that can be replicated and scaled.

“FFRA has emerged as a leader in advancing practical, sustainable solutions for flexible film recycling,” said Kurt Kurzawa, who leads FFRA. “These pilots reflect the collaborative approach that defines our work, bringing together businesses across the value chain to test new collection models, generate meaningful data and help build a stronger foundation for future film recycling programs.”

Commercial plastic film generated by warehouses, distribution centers, retail backrooms and manufacturing facilities is well-suited for recycling because it is typically clean and consists primarily of a single-material polyethylene stream. The pilots will evaluate approaches for collecting, aggregating and delivering this material to recycling end markets.

The two regional pilots, managed by FFRA and the Stewardship Action Foundation, include:

Sacramento Region Pilot – This pilot will evaluate a distributed collection model for small and medium commercial film generators using the existing commercial service routes of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
Ontario/Inland Empire Pilot – This pilot will evaluate a warehouse-focused collection model for large generators through the logistics network of Shorr Packaging, a national packaging distributor serving warehouse and distribution center customers.

Both pilots will use standardized ‘Rack n’ Pack’ film collection systems that allow businesses to separate polyethylene film at the point of generation. Collected material will be transported to regional aggregation facilities where it will be weighed, consolidated and baled prior to shipment to recycling markets. Collection activities as part of the pilot program began operating July 1, 2026, and will continue through December 2026, followed by evaluation and final reporting.

About Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA)

The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) is a self-funded initiative of the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) dedicated to advancing a circular economy for flexible films by expanding practical pathways for their collection, processing and reuse. FFRA brings together stakeholders from across the plastics value chain, including film manufacturers, recyclers, packaging distributors, retailers and commercial generators, to strengthen recovery systems and increase access to recycling opportunities for plastic film. Through collaboration, program and infrastructure development, FFRA works to improve material recovery, advance education and awareness initiatives and reinforce the value of flexible film as a feedstock for new products and packaging. To learn more about FFRA’s work or explore membership opportunities, visit ffra.org.

About the Plastics Industry Association

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $551 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.

Flexible Film Recycling Alliance Releases First-Ever Impact Report

Washington, D.C. — The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA), the central forum driving a circular economy for plastic films, funded by the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), released its first-ever Impact Report, outlining the group’s collaborative progress toward scaling flexible film collection and recycling systems across the United States.

The report details how FFRA is working across the plastics value chain to accelerate recycling rates, expand access to film recycling, and improve consumer education to lay the groundwork for a truly circular solution for flexible films.

“FFRA’s first Impact Report shows what’s possible when manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and policymakers work together toward a shared goal,” said Patrick Krieger, PLASTICS Senior Vice President of Sustainability & Policy. “In 2025, FFRA made meaningful headway from expanding access to film recycling nationwide to shaping policy outcomes that better reflect how recycling systems actually work. This progress reinforces that collaboration, data, and practical solutions are the path forward for scaling film recycling in the U.S.”

“FFRA’s progress shows what’s possible when industry aligns around a shared goal and speaks with a harmonized voice,” said Kurt Kurzawa, PLASTICS Senior Director of Sustainability & Packaging who leads FFRA. “We’re proud of the momentum we’ve built from expanding access to film recycling to strengthening trust through verification and, in the year ahead, we’re focused on taking that next step by further advancing verification to ensure credibility and accountability across the system.”

Highlights covered in the 2025 Impact Report include:

Launch and rapid growth of the Plastic Film Recycling Directory: Since launching in January 2025, the directory has surpassed 170,000 unique users, with more than 20,000 drop-off locations across 60+ retail partners, covering all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Targeted advocacy efforts in California: Successfully advocated for alternative collection systems to be included as a collection modality through partnership and coalition building.
Prioritization of a robust verification framework: To ensure confidence and accountability across the recycling system, FFRA made substantial progress toward a verification program scheduled to launch in the second quarter of 2026, designed to ensure recycling data and outcomes are credible, traceable, and transparent.

The full FFRA Impact Report is available for download here.

To learn more about FFRA’s work—or to explore membership opportunities—visit ffra.org.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is the only organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $519 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.