(VIDEO) Recycling is Real initiative goes inside post-consumer plastics recycling facilities
The campaign creates a vital link between strong recycling infrastructure and a sustainable, circular value chain
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released a new video as part of the Recycling is Real advocacy initiative. The video showcases the recycling work taking place at Envision Plastics in Chino, California, and PakTech in Eugene, Oregon, where post-consumer recycled materials are transformed into new products like six-pack caps.
PLASTICS' Recycling is Real campaign has released 24 videos highlighting both mechanical and advanced recycling facilities throughout the United States. Employees featured in each video represent the recycling workforce in communities nationwide.
Recycling is Real campaign is brought to life with informational videos
The Recycling is Real campaign provides content to help elected officials and policymakers understand that recycling is a vital link in the sustainability and circularity chain, enabling them to make well-informed decisions supporting recycling infrastructure across the U.S.
Launched in 2023, the campaign was created to combat false narratives suggesting that recycling is not happening or that it's a "myth." With some seeking to reduce or eliminate plastic production altogether, Recycling is Real demonstrates where and how recycling occurs — and introduces the people making it happen.
Previous locations include: Atlanta, GA; Kingsport, TN; Madison, WI; North Vernon, IN; Baton Rouge, LA; Portland, PA; Eagle Rock, VA; Rialto, CA; Wytheville, VA; Piqua, OH; Reidsville, NC; Tampa, FL; Chino, CA; Ironton, OH; Houston, TX; Farmingdale, NY; Hilliard, OH; Plymouth, MI; and Reading, PA.
"Envision Plastics and PakTech demonstrate what's possible when recyclers and manufacturers work together," said PLASTICS president and CEO Matt Seaholm. "They are taking post-consumer plastic, processing it here in the United States, and turning it into new products that people use every day. That's the circular economy in action, and it's exactly what Recycling is Real is designed to show."
"At Envision Plastics, we see every day how powerful collaboration can be in achieving a circular economy," said Roberto Fontanillas, senior vice president/general manager at Envision Plastics. "Our long-term partnership with PakTech ensures that the recycled materials we process at our Chino facility become high-quality products that can then be recycled again. It's a model for how U.S. recycling should work."
"For too long, we've heard the claim that recycling isn't real. We know that's not true because we've based our business and made the highest quality product on the market from 100% recycled plastic since 2012," said Gary Panknin, chief sustainability officer and supply chain manager at PakTech. "PakTech leads the industry in sustainability, which would not be possible without successful recycling systems."
