SPI Announces Refocus Recycling Summit & Expo
- Published: July 07, 2015
WASHINGTON, DC | SPI the plastics industry trade association will launch the Refocus Recycling Summit & Expo, April 25–27, 2016, at Rosen Shingle Creek, in Orlando, FL. 
According to SPI, it is incumbent [upon the] professionals in plastics manufacturing to lead the industry in developing strategies that drive innovation, particularly when faced with an issue like recycling that affects the entire supply chain. The US Environmental Protection Agency figures suggest that only 9% of plastic was recycled from the municipal solid waste stream in 2012 (latest figures available). SPI believes it is time to create strategies that will help drive demand for recycled materials, and that is what prompted the expo.
The potential to grow the use of recycled plastics in manufacturing is enormous, says SPI. The US plastics industry is the 3rd largest manufacturing industry in the country, producing nearly $400 billion in products. The organization says it is impossible to look at those numbers and fail to see the potential to drive demand and create new opportunities for the recycling industry. The goal of the expo is reducing supply chain obstacles and eliminating manufacturing barriers.
The event will include brand owners, processors, and others, and will challenge attendees to “refocus” on product design and manufacturing with an eye toward recycled content, design for recycling, and driving sustainability in manufacturing. Creating a stronger market pull for recycled content will directly benefit recyclers and municipal collection efforts, says SPI
SPI says the recycling rate has been essentially stagnant for the past ten years, thus,, doing more of the same will only produce the same results. “It’s time for a new approach, new conversations, and new tools for the industry, says SPI. “It’s time for Refocus. We will no longer wait for the plastics industry to join the recycling industry’s conversation; instead we will take the conversation to them. This is the Refocus difference. It is also important to note that all funds generated from the Refocus Summit & Expo will be reinvested into the industry’s recovery and sustainability efforts.”
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
