U.S. Recyclers Will Open Their Doors to the Public This May Through APR’s Program

In a significant move to boost public understanding and involvement in recycling efforts, the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has announced the first-ever Recycling in Action month, set for May 2025. This new initiative aims to showcase the plastic recycling process across the U.S. and educate the public about the critical economic and environmental benefits of recycling.

Throughout May, material recovery facilities (MRFs) and plastic recycling centers nationwide will open their doors to the public, according to APR. The goal is to provide firsthand experience of the recycling process, from when recyclables are collected at the curb to the moment they are transformed into new products.

Connecting Household Efforts to Circular Manufacturing

Steve Alexander, President and CEO of APR, emphasized the interconnected nature of the recycling process. “Recycling is an inter-connected, multi-step process that begins in millions of households when recyclables are tossed into the bin,” he said. “APR created Recycling In Action to connect the crucial efforts people make at home to the creation of new products made from recycled materials.”

The initiative highlights the essential role of recycling in reducing the demand for virgin plastic, which is traditionally made from petroleum. APR noted that the process of creating new plastic from recycled materials uses far less energy and produces significantly fewer greenhouse gases than manufacturing new plastic from raw materials.

Recycling: A Powerful Economic Engine

The recycling industry also serves as a vital economic engine, providing more than 680,000 jobs across the U.S., APR stressed. The organization said that “the strong combination of both economic and environmental benefits is why it is critical for states and Congress to adopt policies to improve recycling”. Stronger recycling policies and increased investments are essential for reducing pollution, boosting U.S. manufacturing, and creating more job opportunities.

Scheduled Events in Key U.S. Locations

As part of the Recycling in Action month, tours will be conducted at several recycling facilities across the U.S., including cities such as Little Rock, AR, Phoenix, AZ, Vernon, CA, and Brooklyn, NY, to name a few. The up-to-date list of participating facilities is available at RecyclingInAction.org. Additional events are expected to be announced soon.

According to APR, these tours will allow the public to witness state-of-the-art sorting technologies in action, understand why certain materials contaminate the sorting process, learn more about how recycling works in their community, and what they can do to support and grow recycling.

Addressing Misinformation and Boosting Trust in Recycling

Alexander also stressed the importance of addressing misinformation surrounding the recycling process. “There’s been a lot of misinformation about what happens to plastic recyclables after they’re placed in the bin,” he noted. “The truth is that, thanks to households and businesses recycling, the equivalent of 340 18-wheeler truckloads of plastic is kept out of landfills every single day.” By showcasing the recycling process and its tangible impact, APR hopes to build trust in the system and inspire even greater participation.

Through this initiative, the APR aims to educate the public on the importance of recycling, encourage more sustainable behaviors, and foster a greater understanding of how each individual’s actions contribute to the greater good. For more information and to find a participating facility near you, visit RecyclingInAction.org.