 | Paul KearnsUsername: Paul |
Location
Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA
Role
Packaging Materials SupplierJob Title
Director of SustainabilityCompany
ExopackProfile
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Recycling options for pet food bags
David, What is a #5 PP bag? I am familiar with the packaging that Nestle Purina uses and am wondering if you are referring to the large woven polypropylene bags. With either option, you are likely facing developing a closed loop recycling system, similar to the ones that are used for grocery bags and now, for yogurt containers. http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2009/01/gimme-5-recycling/ Municipal collection is not practical as the sorting technologies will not accomodate the bags. MERFs prefer paper, bottles and cans, not flexible packaging. So, for the woven bags, maybe Gimme 5 is someone you should engage. The multi-wall bags have mixed materials. They are about 85% paper and 15% film. The materials are recyclable but the problem is separating them for recycling. The film is laminated to the paper with a starch-based adhesive that would release in water. A paper mill with adequate screens and filters may be able to remove the film before it hits the machine. Some of the corrugated recyclers, such as Visy, may be able to shed some more light on the possibilities and the issues.