We mobilize people, data, and solutions across the 

value chain to unlock the environmental and economic 

benefits of recycling and a circular economy.

Tools for tracking and 

improving plastic recycling

Tuesday, January 24th, 2023

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Data

Public 

Engagement

Policy

Corporate 

Commitment

• Harmonized 

Framework

• National 

Recycling 

Database

• Data-Driven 

Actions

• Access to Reuse 

& Recycle

• Public Trust & 

Participation

• Equity

• Claims and 

Labeling

• Producer 

Responsibility

• Harmonized 

Standards + 

Design for 

Reduce, Reuse, 

& Recycle

• Infrastructure 

Investment

Biggest 

Intersectional 

Opportunity
Utilizing Data to Drive Change Across the Value Chain

Data is a powerful force for change.

Government Communities Industry
Sources of Recycling 

Rate Data

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Recycling Rate Data

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Plastics Categories Included in EPA Rates

Durable 

Goods

Appliances, Carpet, 

Electronics, etc.

Non-durable 

Goods

Trash Bags, Plastic 

Cups & Plates, etc.

Plastic Containers 

& Packaging

Bottles, Jugs, 

Containers, etc.
Recycling Rate Data

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Plastics Categories and Recycling Rates

Amount 

Generated

Amount 

Recycled

Plastic Containers & 

Packaging

Durable 

Goods

Non-durable 

Goods

6.8%

2.4%

13.1%

Average 8.5%

Recycling Rate

i.e. carpet, electronics, appliances

i.e. plastic cups, trash bags

i.e. bottles, jugs, containers
Industry Sources U.S. Plastics Pact

Tracking recycling rates 

specifically for plastics 

packaging

Other Sources of Data

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Other Sources of Data

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U.S. Plastics Pact Data

Tons Generated Tons Recycled Recycling Rate

LDPE/HDPE/PP/PS Bags, Sacks, & Wraps 4,200 420 10.0%

PET Bottles and Containers** 3,995 938 23.5%

HDPE Bottles and Containers* 3,170 604 19.1%

PP Bottles and Containers* 1,263 70 5.5%

LDPE/PP/PS/PLA Plastic Plates & Cups 1,030 0 0.0%

Other LDPE Packaging 910 0 0.0%

PS and Other Packaging 790 25 3.1%

Other Bottles and Containers 360 1 0.2%

TOTAL - All Materials 15,718 2,057 13.1%

*Data source: APR

** Data source: NAPCOR

Data source for all others: EPA

(thousands of tons) (thousands of tons)
Households with Carts Have 

Fairly High Numbers

Household Perspective

Material

PET Bottles

Non-bottle PET

“Natural” HDPE bottles

Colored HDPE bottles

Polypropylene packaging

Household 

Capture Rate

48%

39%

60%

51%

27%

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Tracking Local Recycling 

Programs

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Municipal Measurement Program

• Free online survey with standardized 

terminology and methodology for gathering 

local recycling program data

• Surveys for single family, multifamily and 

drop-off programs for solid waste, recycling 

and organics

• Local programs can be cities, counties or 

regional authorities

• Harmonize material acceptance terminology 

in recycling programs
Introducing the MMP Reports

Economic Benefits 

of Recycling

Program

Summary

Program 

Recommendations

Inbound 

Contamination Rate

Participation

Rate

Lbs Per Household 

Benchmark

Lbs Per 

Household
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National Database & 

Underlying Taxonomy
Includes:

Type of program

Type of collection

Type of bins

Acceptable materials

in each community

Updated quarterly

All communities and 

counties over

2,500 households

Curbside

Subscription

Drop-off

None

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Over 9,000 Programs & 30,000 Communities

National Database – Aarons slides
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National Database – How it works
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California Metrics

National Database

647 cities, counties and 

unincorporated areas 

researched

Assumed Access 

Type by HH

Material Access All HH

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Taxonomy – Must make assumptions on acceptability

Plastic Bottles & Containers

PET Bottles/Jugs & Jars

HDPE Bottles/Jugs & Jars

PP Bottles/Jugs & Jars

PET Cups

PET Thermoforms

HDPE Tubs

PP Tubs

PP Cups

Unless any are specifically excluded in the community guidelines
Material & 

Format

APR Design 

Guides

ISRI Bale 

Specs

Recycling 

Category

Local 

Acceptance

Household 

Capture

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Taxonomy – Link packaging data to recycling system

A Recycle Check link will be 

customized for each brands’

package types. It can be 

embedded as a link in owned 

websites, product pages or apps, and 

has the potential to be printed directly 

on packages as a QR Code.

Recycle Check

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QR code on packaging to 

give hyper-local results 
Contact me at:

aburman@recyclingpartnership.org

recyclingpartnership.org

For more information:

We mobilize people, data, and solutions across the 

value chain to unlock the environmental and economic 

benefits of recycling and a circular economy.

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