The US Plastics Pact (USPP) has introduced its landmark professional document, the “Journey to Film & Flex Circularity Framework,” offering a systemic solution to the recycling crisis of flexible plastic packaging—such as films, pouches, and bags. The framework aims to guide stakeholders across the U.S. plastic value chain toward the sustainability goals set for 2025 and 2030 through a unified strategy. The document highlights that flexible packaging accounts for approximately 20% of the American plastic packaging market, yet its recycling rate remains critically low.
Flexible plastics (film & flex) are the cornerstones of modern logistics and the food industry, yet they represent the greatest challenge for waste management systems. The new USPP framework is not merely a vision but a concrete action plan built on three pillars, covering the entire life cycle from the design table to end-user markets.
Strategic Targets: The 2025 and 2030 Milestones
The US Plastics Pact operates around four primary targets, in which the newly published framework plays a crucial role:
- Target 1: Define a list of problematic or unnecessary plastic packaging and take measures to eliminate them
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Target 2: By 2025, 100% of plastic packaging must be reusable, recyclable, or compostable.
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Target 3: By 2025, achieve an effective recycling or composting rate of at least 50% for plastic packaging.
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Target 4: Reach an average of 30% post-consumer recycled content (PCR) across all plastic packaging.
Achieving these numbers for films and flexible materials is particularly difficult, as these materials often consist of mixed polymers and easily contaminate mechanical recycling lines.
The Three Pillars of the Framework
According to the USPP document, achieving a circular economy for flexible plastics is only possible if progress is made simultaneously in the following three areas:
1. Design for Recyclability
Manufacturers must shift from complex, multi-layer structures toward mono-material solutions (typically polyethylene – PE). The framework emphasizes compliance with the design guidelines of the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). The goal is to optimize adhesives, inks, and barrier layers so they do not hinder cleaning and regranulation processes.
2. Collection, Sorting, and Processing
Currently, film collection in the U.S. relies primarily on store drop-off points. The USPP framework advocates for:
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Expanding curbside collection or introducing specialized collection bags.
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Technological upgrades for Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to effectively separate light films from paper and rigid plastic streams.
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Integrating chemical (advanced) recycling technologies alongside mechanical processes.
3. End-Market Development
Recycling is futile without demand for secondary raw materials. The framework encourages “closed-loop” applications—where used film is turned back into film or bags—but also considers “open-loop” markets, such as the construction industry (e.g., composite decking) or agriculture.
Summary and Responsibility
According to the USPP report, the adoption of the “Journey to Film & Flex” framework serves as a guide for the pact’s more than 100 signatories, including major global brands and waste management firms. The document asserts that without making flexible plastics circular, American environmental objectives will remain unattainable.
The framework also sends a clear message to regulators: there is a need for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems to provide the necessary funding for infrastructure development.
Official Sources and References:
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Original Document: US Plastics Pact – Journey to Film & Flex Circularity Framework
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Related Professional Organization: The Recycling Partnership
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