NAPCOR Refutes Claim That PLA Can Be Recycled With PET
By Canadian Packaging Staff
Sustainability National Association for PET Container Resources PET PLA RPETThe National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) has refuted the premise that polylactic acid (PLA) containers derived from renewable resourcescan be successfully mixed into the existing stream of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) containers, citing concerns over cost of separation; increased contamination and yield loss; and impact on recycled PET (RPET) quality and processing.
NAPCOR chairman Tom Busard says: “We don’t doubt that PLA can be recycled, but there are unquestionably some big issues yet to overcome. The current reality is that these issues transfer significant system costs and logistics burdens to the PET recyclers, impacting the viability and continued sustainability of their businesses.
“NAPCOR has spent over 20 years helping to build a successful domestic PET recycling infrastructure and this solution not only jeopardizes the PET system, but is not an effective solution for PLA.”
Mike Schedler, NAPCOR’s technical director adds, “The entire premise that you can simply add PLA containers into the PET recycling stream, successfully sort them out, and eventually find markets for the material is like advocating that mixed ceramic materials can be thrown right in with the recyclable glass stream to be sorted out, and that eventually there will be enough of this mixed material that someone will want to buy it.”
Schedler notes that the PLA fraction will likely be mixed with other out-sorts from the PET stream, including PVC, PS and other resins, further complicating the marketing of the material.
Because PLA and PET containers are not readily distinguishable by sight, some type of autosort technology is necessary. Recent tests conducted by Primo Waters using NatureWorks PLA bottles indicate that near infrared (NIR) sorting systems may be an effective means of sorting out 93 per cent of the PLA from the PET recycling stream. NIR systems are not currently used by all recyclers and require significant investment, typically $200,000 or more. Those who invest in these systems expect them to be able to sort at 95 percent or better. Other sorting systems were not part of the recent tests, nor were ways to address quality issues such as PLA getting stuck in the dryers during the PET reclamation process.
NAPCOR expressed that currently the volumes of PLA that can be separated out are relatively low and do not make up the critical mass required for a viable reclamation business model.
“The reality is that the PLA container becomes a contributor to PET bale yield loss which is already a big concern for PET reclaimers, as is the additional fraction of marketable PET which will invariably get sorted out along with the PLA,” says Dennis Sabourin, executive director of NAPCOR. “So not only is there an increased cost for sorting and a higher yield loss, but without any practical way to aggregate the sorted material, or markets for it, it’s destined for landfill.”
While NAPCOR states that it has no wish to impede the recycling of additional resins including PLA, it was concerned that it might jeopardize successful programs through the premature inclusion of other resins into the PET system.
The association advocates extreme caution moving forward: today’s domestic PET recycling system can’t successfully absorb PLA containers, nor does this scenario offer a sustainable model for PLA. NAPCOR calls on brand owners and decision makers to fully consider the impacts and the realities of the current situation when they make the packaging decisions that address their product requirements and sustainability goals.
Founded in 1987, NAPCOR is the trade association for the PET plastic industry in the United States and Canada. NAPCOR is committed to being the credible voice and champion of the PET industry; to facilitate solutions to PET recycling; and to communicate the benefits of PET as an environmentally sustainable package. For more information, visit: www.napcor.com.
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