It requires energy and generates waste by-products that must be managed, just like any other manufacturing process. Where possible, FPI members recycle. However, some products are more difficult to recycle than others . After use, these products contain food waste . Also, because these products are lightweight and of low density , high transport costs may be incurred in shipping the discarded products to the reprocessors.
Recycling is more than the separation and collection of materials and products.
There are numerous private companies that remanufacture post-consumer materials into new products. For further details on FPI members' recycling programs, order the FPI Environmental Stewardship Report .