ACC, recycling directory host Earth911 partner to help consumers locate plastic recycling services; Earth 911 adds plastics by shape to its Recyclopedia as municipalities drop confusing resin identification codes

Lorena Madrigal

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona , February 6, 2012 (press release) – Many consumers have questions about where and how to recycle their plastics, and because collection differs from municipality to municipality, the answers aren’t always easy to find.

To help address these issues, the American Chemistry Council (ACC), an organization representing plastics producers, and Earth911, Inc., host of the nation’s largest and most accurate recycling directory, are working together to help consumers locate recycling opportunities in their own communities.

“We’re excited to be working with Earth911 to help reach more consumers with information that makes plastics recycling simple and convenient,” said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council. “We’ve seen repeatedly that when access and awareness come together, people are willing to do their part to get more plastics into the bin.”

One recent change is that many municipalities have switched from asking for plastics by their resin identification code – a series of numbers 1 through 7 intended to help recyclers sort plastics by material type – to asking residents to put plastic bottles and other containers in their recycling bins.

“Asking for plastics by shape instead of by number really helps to simplify the message, and that encourages more people to recycle,” Russell said.

As part of Earth911 and ACC’s partnership, Earth911.com has added Plastic Containers (eg. butter tubs and to-go containers), and Plastic Film (eg. shrink wrap) to its Recyclopedia, a comprehensive guide on how to recycle or properly dispose of more than 90 popular products.

“Now, people can focus on getting more plastics into the recycling stream,” said Raquel Fagan, vice president of media and partnerships for Earth911. “Not only will we continue to raise awareness about how people can recycle more, but we’ve also added many keywords and search terms to the Earth911 Recycling Directory in order to help make finding local resources easier.”

Plastics recycling has increased every year since the industry first began tracking in 1990, but still, too many recyclable plastics wind up in the garbage because people don’t realize how easy it is to recycle.

“Ninety-four percent of Americans have access to a plastics recycling program,” Russell said. “It’s never been more convenient to recycle plastics, and Earth911’s community database and online resources make it easy to pitch in.”

About the American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division

The American Chemistry Council’s Plastics Division represents leading companies dedicated to providing innovative solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow through plastics. Ongoing innovations in plastics have led to medical advances and safety equipment that make our lives better, healthier and safer every day. And, advances in plastics are helping Americans save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and decrease waste. Because plastics are such a valuable resource, the Plastics Division is leading efforts to “reduce, reuse, recycle and recover,” including through outreach, education and access to advances in recycling technology. www.americanchemistry.com/plastics

About Earth911

Earth911 gathers, distributes and analyzes localized recycling information to assist manufacturers, organizations and consumers with product end-of-life solutions. Since 1991, Earth911’s services have enhanced companies’ responsible waste initiatives and worked to increase consumer recycling. Through the Earth911 Recycling Directory, Earth911 hosts the largest and most accurate compilation of recycling information in the nation, boasting more than 1 million ways to recycle. Follow @Earth911 on Twitter and Like Earth911 on Facebook at www.facebook.com/earth911.

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