New pilot programs will test scalable collection and recycling systems for commercial plastic films, supporting California’s circular economy and EPR goals.
The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) has launched commercial plastic film recycling pilot programs in California to evaluate scalable collection and recycling systems for flexible plastic films generated by businesses. The initiative is designed to improve recovery rates for polyethylene film while supporting California’s transition to a circular economy under the state’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.
The pilot programs began on 1 July 2026 and will run through 30 November 2026, followed by a comprehensive evaluation of collection efficiency, material quality, operational performance, and recycling outcomes. The results will help establish best practices for commercial film recycling and guide future large-scale implementation across the state.
Participating businesses will use standardized “Rack n’ Pack” collection systems that allow polyethylene films to be separated at the point of generation. The collected material will then be transported to regional aggregation centres, where it will be weighed, consolidated, baled, and shipped to recycling facilities for processing into new products.
The initiative addresses one of the biggest challenges facing the plastics industry—recycling flexible films and packaging, which are often difficult to recover through conventional curbside recycling systems. By developing dedicated commercial collection networks, the pilot aims to increase the availability of high-quality recycled feedstock while reducing plastic waste sent to landfills.
The program also supports California’s SB 54 Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, which requires significant improvements in packaging recyclability and recycled content. Insights from the pilots are expected to help producers, recyclers, and policymakers develop efficient recycling pathways that comply with the state’s ambitious sustainability targets.
By launching these commercial recycling pilots, the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance is taking an important step toward building a more effective recycling infrastructure for flexible plastic packaging. The initiative is expected to strengthen material recovery, expand end-market opportunities for recycled plastics, and accelerate the adoption of circular economy practices across California’s plastics value chain.