110 likes | 340 Views
Plastic Recycling Update. May 30, 2012 SWMCB Board Meeting. US EPA 2010 Waste Characterization Study. Plastics made up 12.4 percent of all municipal solid waste before recycling. Over 31 million tons of plastic was generated in 2010, compared to just 390,000 tons in 1960.
E N D
Plastic Recycling Update May 30, 2012 SWMCB Board Meeting
US EPA 2010 Waste Characterization Study • Plastics made up 12.4 percent of all municipal solid waste before recycling. • Over 31 million tons of plastic was generated in 2010, compared to just 390,000 tons in 1960. • The 2010 plastic recycling rate was 8.2 percent • Some plastics have better recycling recovery rates • PET bottles and jars, had a 2010 recycling rate of 29.2 percent • HDPE bottles and containers, had a 2010 recycling rate of 27.5 percent. Source: www.epa.gov/waste/nonhaz/municipal/pubs/msw2009rpt.pdf
Trends in Minnesota • Several large haulers are collecting all #1-#7 plastics. • Some cities and counties have been, or will soon add #1-#7 to their programs. • Redwood Falls - #1-#5 for several years • Hennepin County – all cities collecting #1-#5 by 2013 • Many programs still collect only #1 & #2 bottles with necks
Optical Sorters • Most popular ‘new’ technology for sorting plastics • Each unit runs ~$250K • Typically sorts 1-2 categories per run
Markets for MN’s Curbside Programs • Market for PET and HDPE stable and strong • HDPE market in Minnesota include MasterMark,Bedford Technology and Recycled Plastics Inc. • 3-7 domestic markets in the US are in the beginning stages with the main markets being China and Canada • Some Minnesota markets for 3-7
International • China currently imposes import tax on plastic resin • Processing capabilities going from manual processing to highly automated vertically integrated industrial parks • China aiming for 70 percent recycling rate by 2015 • China main market for 3-7 plastics
Market Development • Develop Minnesota Markets for 3-7 • Currently no Minnesota processing facilities dedicated to post consumer PP or film • Domestic market for 3-7 plastics very small currently in pilot stage
Wayne Gjerde Ph 651-757-2392 Cell ph 651-285-0460 wayne.gjerde@state.mn.us