Memphis Introduces Curbside Paper Cup Recycling

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Curbside recycling carts across the city of Memphis will welcome even more recyclables beginning Thursday, June 1. Thanks to a partnership with the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI), over 182,000 households will be able to recycle clean and empty paper cups. With this move, Memphis joins a growing trend of communities adding paper cups to their residential recycling programs.

“It’s exciting to be a part of this incredible initiative aimed at expanding recycling programs and include paper cups in our list of acceptable materials. Through this partnership, we are now able to offer our community a valuable opportunity to conserve resources and reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfills,” said Philip Davis, Solid Waste Director for the City of Memphis.

Memphis will launch an outreach campaign to inform residents of what is recyclable through the expanded program and remind them that all recyclables should be clean and empty when placed in their recycling carts. With support from a communications grant from FPI, the campaign will feature social media posts, print and digital advertisements, and an updated recycling flyer. Residents will learn about the wide range of take-out packaging they can place in their recycling carts including clean and empty pizza boxes, paper bags, plastic cups and containers, aluminum foil and cans, molded fiber containers and paper cups. To prepare products for recycling, residents are asked to empty any remaining liquid, toss the lid in the trash, and place their cups loose in recycling carts or drop-off bins.

The city will kick off the campaign on June 1 with a press conference at the Mud Island Recycling Drop-off Center at noon. Attendees will be treated to free coffee from Crazy Gander Coffee, served in paper cups that can be recycled. The first 35 attendees will also receive a gift card for Crazy Gander Coffee. The event will be a great opportunity to learn about sustainable practices and residents are encouraged to attend.

“We’re delighted to team up with the city of Memphis to ramp up its recycling efforts. By accepting paper cups into the residential recycling program and doing outreach to the community, we hope to communicate the importance of recycling foodservice packaging items,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute. “We actually started our very first community partnership in Tennessee back in 2017, so returning to the state to expand our efforts is especially meaningful to us.”

The city sends its collected recyclables to Republic’s materials recovery facility in Memphis, where the cups are recovered and baled with other paper to be converted into new products, diverting waste from landfills and advancing the circular economy.

To learn more about Memphis’ recycling initiative and see a list of all acceptable curbside recyclables, visit https://recycle.memphistn.gov/.

New Technology Enables Paper Cup Recycling and Improves Food and Beverage Carton Recycling in Dallas

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FCC Environmental Services, a leading waste management provider in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, has installed new robotic sorting technology at its materials recovery facility (MRF). This cutting-edge technology will enable the MRF to start accepting and sorting paper cups, and more efficiently capture food and beverage cartons from residents throughout the greater Dallas area. This will ensure the valuable fiber found in both types of containers can go on to make new paper-based products.

FCC joins a growing trend of MRFs and communities that are including paper cups and food and beverage cartons as part of their residential recycling programs. This initiative was made possible by a collaborative equipment grant from the Carton Council of North America (CCNA), the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI), and the NextGen Consortium.

“With the installation of this new robotic sorting technology, we are proud to expand and improve our recycling capabilities and offer our customers in the Dallas metropolitan area the opportunity to recycle paper cups and cartons,” said Bruce Magnuson, FCC’s senior general manager.

“This robotic sorting and AI is a great example of how technology can help improve recycling and ultimately contribute to our circular economy by capturing more recyclable materials,” said Larine Urbina, vice president of communications for the Carton Council. “We are proud to work with FCC to embrace innovation to expand recycling. Collaboration with others throughout the recycling value chain is a cornerstone of the Carton Council’s strategy.”

MRFs have multiple options for managing paper cups and cartons. While many MRFs include cups and cartons in mixed paper bales, FCC has opted to sort this material to a higher-value poly-grade bale. The new AMP robot plays a crucial role in the mechanical recovery and makes the sorting of these materials for the higher-value market possible.

“Strengthening recycling infrastructure is vital to creating a more circular future for packaging. The NextGen Consortium is thrilled to partner with FCC and other industry leaders to provide grant funding for new recycling technology that can help keep more valuable packaging, like cups and cartons, in circulation and reduce waste,” said Kate Daly, Head of the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners––the managing partner of the NextGen Consortium.

“Our equipment grant program is designed to help organizations invest in new recycling infrastructure and drive innovation in waste management. We are excited to see the impact it is having in the Dallas metro area expanding recycling to nearly half a million households,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

Once paper cups and cartons enter the recycling system, they can be used by mills to make new paper products that consumers use every day, like paper towels, toilet paper, napkins, and even new cups. Follow FCC’s progress and other recycling efforts at https://fccenvironmental.com.

New Program Increases Tulsa Residents’ Ability to Recycle Paper Cups at Home

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More than 252,000 households in the Tulsa metropolitan area can now place clean and empty paper cups in recycling carts and drop-off bins for curbside collection. The region’s primary materials recovery facility, Mr. Murph 2.0, partnered with the Foodservice Packaging Institute on a communications grant to educate residents on the wide range of take-out packaging that can be placed in curbside recycling bins and drop-off recycling bins instead of trash cans.

“Amidst our continued acceptance of numerous take-out containers, we are excited to announce our efforts in educating residents about our recycling process and the best practices that support it. By doing so, we aim to tackle the issue of contamination and avoid sending valuable materials for incineration or disposal at landfills,” said Robert Pickens, Vice President of American Waste Control, Inc.

The Tulsa metropolitan area can recycle food packaging containers, including clean paper and plastic cups and containers, pizza and sandwich boxes, and paper bags, through community curbside and drop-off recycling program. To best prepare the items for processing, residents are asked to empty the recyclables of any liquid or food residue before placing them in their recycling cart or recycling drop-off bin.

“We are proud to partner with American Waste Control in their efforts to raise awareness and educate Tulsa residents on acceptable take-out containers that can be placed in recycling cart and bins. By empowering residents with knowledge and skills, we can divert valuable materials from being disposed as waste and advance Tulsa’s circular economy,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

The recycling program strengthens Oklahoma’s economy and generates employment opportunities within the state. Nearly 95% of recyclables delivered to Mr. Murph stay in the state. Mr. Murph will lead the charge to help encourage Tulsa area residents to recycle, by communicating messaging around recycling clean and empty take-out containers. American Waste Control’s outreach campaign kicks off on May 3rd and features an educational recycling video, social media, digital ads, an infographic on recycling take-out containers, and updates to their popular “Feed Mr. Murph” recycle right education game.

To learn more and see a list of all acceptable curbside recyclables, visit feedmrmurph.com.

Mount Prospect Starts Foam Recycling Program

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The Village of Mount Prospect, Illinois, received a $50,000 grant from the Foodservice Packaging Institute’s Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC) that enables residents to recycle materials, such as foam polystyrene cups, plates, bowls, clamshells, egg cartons and meat trays, as well as block packaging foam, at its local drop-off center.

The FRC grant assisted with funding the purchase and installation of a foam densifier at the Mount Prospect Public Works facility. Densifiers are used to compact foam products into foam blocks or ingots. Mount Prospect sells the foam ingots to local end markets to be manufactured into architectural moldings and picture frames.

Mount Prospect is a member of the Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (SWANCC), an intergovernmental agency comprised of 23 communities. The drop-off center is open to all communities within SWANCC.

“We are continually reflecting on our programs to ensure the residents of Mount Prospect are provided with the most economical and ecologically sound options,” said Sean P. Dorsey, director at Mount Prospect Public Works Department. “The inclusion of foam recycling to existing recycling programs will be extremely beneficial to the Mount Prospect and SWANCC member communities.”

The Village and SWANCC will inform residents via communications including Mount Prospect and SWANCC websites, Recycling Coach app, social media, newsletters and flyers.

“Mount Prospect is spearheading this effort that provides residents of the Village and surrounding communities the ability to recycle foam polystyrene that otherwise would have gone to the landfill,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute. “FPI and the Foam Recycling Coalition are excited to support communities like Mount Prospect that are shining examples of providing environmentally sound and resourceful options to its residents.”

FRC has opened the 2023 application period, now through April 25, 2023, for public and private entities seeking to start or improve foam polystyrene recovery in their recycling programs. Eligible entities must engage in operating a material recovery facility, manage residential curbside recycling programs, or manage a drop-off or convenience site recycling program.

The grant is made possible through contributions to FRC, which focuses exclusively on increased recycling of post-consumer foam polystyrene. Its members include Americas Styrenics; Chick-fil-A; CKF Inc.; Dart Container Corp.; Dyne-A-Pak; Genpak; INEOS Styrolution America LLC; Lifoam Industries, LLC; Pactiv Evergreen; and Republic Plastics.

Mount Prospect is the 29th grant recipient to receive this funding since 2015. Over 10 million additional residents in the U.S. and Canada can recycle foam polystyrene because of FRC grants. Visit www.RecycleFoam.org to learn more about foam recycling, read about previous recipients or apply for a grant.

24th Annual Industry Report Indicates Increased Optimism Amid Uncertainty

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The Foodservice Packaging Institute’s 2023 State of the Industry Report reveals that the industry is seeing a steady comeback since the slowdown of the pandemic, despite current economic uncertainty. Results show that 60% of foodservice packaging manufacturers and suppliers experienced growth in volume, which is down 20% compared with last year’s large increase coming out of the pandemic. In a large jump from 31% in 2021, 70% reported profit growth in 2022.

“Based on the feedback from nearly 50 organizations, the 2023 State of the Industry Report predicts an optimistic, yet still unpredictable, year for the foodservice packaging industry as we continue to climb back from the effects of the pandemic,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute. “On an encouraging note, foodservice operators who responded saw increased sales, and were overwhelmingly optimistic that this trend would continue in 2023.”

The 24th State of the Industry Report includes input from raw material and machinery suppliers, converters, and foodservice distributors and operators. The survey looks at industry issues, such as changes to volume and profits; expansion and purchasing plans; and opportunities and challenges facing the industry, including the COVID-19 pandemic’s ongoing effect.

Sending another signal that the outlook for 2023 is unclear, only 37% of the North American manufacturer respondents reported another year of corporate expansion plans primarily through expansion of current facilities compared with 50% in 2022. And, only a third plan to expand through building a new plant or merger/acquisition. In a slight decrease from previous years, 60% of North American converters plan to purchase machinery in 2023.

Respondents continue to view the fast casual segment as one of the greatest areas for market expansion, along with grocery stores. This is due in part to continued use of take-out post-pandemic, along with inflation. Convenience stores and chain quick-service restaurants are also noted as opportunities for market expansion because of increased foodservice solutions and the ability to eat foods on-the-go.

FPI members and contributing participants received complete survey results. A complimentary executive summary of the report is available at FPI.org/resource. For more information, contact FPI’s Ashley Elzinga at aelzinga@fpi.org.

Expanding Paper Cup Recycling in the Carolinas

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North Carolina and South Carolina are expanding their curbside recycling programs. Efforts are being made to include paper cups in residential recycling programs across both states. This announcement is made in partnership with the Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI), a leading industry association working to increase recovery of foodservice packaging. FPI is working closely with local material recovery facilities (MRFs) and paper mills to add this highly desirable fiber as an acceptable commodity for curbside recycling.

“This recycling initiative in North Carolina and South Carolina represents a significant milestone in the advancement of sustainability and recycling efforts. Our team has worked closely with stakeholders in both states, and we are thrilled to witness the realization of this initiative. This is the initial phase of our roll-out plan, and we plan to extend our collaboration with counties and cities across the Carolinas,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

To ensure the success of this new development, FPI is partnering with local communities to launch educational campaigns informing residents about the acceptance of clean and empty paper cups for recycling. The first partnership will be with New Hanover County, North Carolina, which sends collected recyclables to Sonoco Recycling for processing. Recovered material will be supplied to the Sonoco paper mill in Hartsville, South Carolina, where it be converted into new products, advancing the circular economy in the region.
“Leading this recycling initiative in the Carolinas is a source of great excitement for us, and we envision this partnership as a blueprint for future collaborations throughout the Carolinas and beyond. This partnership is an important step in the right direction towards keeping these materials in the regional economy,” said Joe Suleyman, solid waste director of New Hanover County.

This initiative will kick off at the Carolina Recycling Association (CRA) conference with a press conference on March 29. Representatives from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, and Sonoco Recycling will attend. During the event, they will discuss recovery efforts and steps to ensure residents are well-informed about how to recycle paper cups and reduce contamination.

Foam Recycling Coalition Opens Application Period for Foam Recycling Grants

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Since 2015, more than 30 communities, facility operators, non-profits and solid waste authorities have received grants of up to $50,000 from Foodservice Packaging Institute’s Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC) to expand foam polystyrene recycling throughout the United States and Canada. FRC has opened the 2023 application period, now through April 25, 2023, for public and private entities seeking to start or improve foam polystyrene recovery in their recycling programs.

Eligible entities must engage in operating a material recovery facility, manage residential curbside recycling programs, or manage a drop-off or convenience site recycling program.

“To date, more than 10 million more residents can recycle foam polystyrene in the U.S. and Canada as a result of our FRC grants,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute. “The communities and organizations we partner with ensure that foam polystyrene items, like cups, egg cartons, foodservice containers and packaging materials, are diverted from landfills and recycled into new products.”

Previous grant awardees have used FRC funding to purchase equipment, including collection bins and foam densifiers, that aid in the efficient collection and on-site material preparation prior to shipping. No cash match is required. However, additional costs by the grantee may be incurred for related items, such as site preparation, electrical infrastructure, freight, etc.

The grant program is made possible through contributions to FRC, which focuses exclusively on increased recycling of post-consumer foam polystyrene. Its members include Americas Styrenics; Chick-fil-A; CKF Inc.; Dart Container Corp.; Dyne-A-Pak; Genpak; INEOS Styrolution America LLC; Lifoam Industries, LLC; Pactiv Evergreen; and Republic Plastics.
Visit www.RecycleFoam.org/Grants to learn more about foam recycling, read about previous recipients or apply for a grant.

Mecklenburg County Expands Recovery of Foam Polystyrene to All Full-Service Recycling Centers

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Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, is taking the next step in growing the county’s recycling program with the help of a $50,000 grant from the Foodservice Packaging Institute’s (FPI) Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC). The county has informed residents that it is now collecting post-consumer foam polystyrene (PS), including foodservice packaging, at all four of its full-service recycling centers.

The FRC grant assisted with funding the purchase and installation of a foam densifier at one of its four recycling centers as part of the program launch for foam PS recycling. Densifiers are used to compact foam products, like cups, egg cartons, foodservice containers and packaging materials, into foam blocks or ingots. The county plans to sell the foam ingots to local end markets to be manufactured into architectural moldings and picture frames.

“The county’s full-service recycling centers have seen customer counts increase 51% from 2019 to 2022 – driving our efforts to expand our recycling infrastructure and identify new recycling and waste diversion opportunities,” said Jeff Smithberger, Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Director. “The demand for foam polystyrene recycling and availability of end markets has created a viable opportunity to launch a new recycling program with help from the FRC grant.”

The foam recycling program will provide ongoing data on potential expansion to include more collection sites. The county has collected more than 70 30-yard dumpsters (over 10,000 lbs.) since the collection program kicked off on November 28, 2022. Since then, the county has added a second densifier, at the Tire and Metal Recovery Facility to handle the volume.
“Mecklenburg County’s solid waste division, serving over 1 million residents, is continuously testing and providing new opportunities to recover and divert valuable materials from the landfill,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute, which oversees FRC. “FPI and the Foam Recycling Coalition are excited to be a part of the pilot program to increase recycling of polystyrene foam.”

The grant is made possible through contributions to FRC, which focuses exclusively on increased recycling of post-consumer foam polystyrene. Its members include Americas Styrenics; Chick-fil-A; CKF Inc.; Dart Container Corp.; Dolco; Dyne-A-Pak; Genpak; INEOS Styrolution America LLC; Lifoam Industries, LLC; Pactiv Evergreen; and Republic Plastics.

Mecklenburg County is the 28th grant recipient to receive this funding since 2015. Over 8 million additional residents in the U.S. and Canada can recycle foam polystyrene as a result of FRC grants. Visit www.RecycleFoam.org to learn more about foam recycling, read about previous recipients or apply for a grant.

University of North Carolina Wilmington Expands Polystyrene Recycling with Support from Foam Recycling Coalition

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The University of North Carolina Wilmington’s demand for recycling services has markedly increased since the start of its recycling program in 1989. What began with a five-person operation has expanded to include collections, hauling, and processing capabilities with an on-campus hand-sorting material recovery facility and drop-off center (The Depot). Now, with the help of the Foam Recycling Coalition, the university will expand its polystyrene foam recycling capabilities to meet increased volumes.

UNCW received a $9,627 grant from the Foodservice Packaging Institute’s Foam Recycling Coalition (FRC) to purchase four containers to collect the increased volume of polystyrene foam. It will add a second densifier, donated to the university, that will double the capacity to process foam, including packing blocks, coolers, peanuts, foodservice containers, egg crates and meat trays.
“99% of all foam collected at UNCW comes from off-campus via drop-off at either our MRF or The Depot. As well as receiving material from the public, we partner with local businesses to process their foam,” said Feletia Lee, chief sustainability officer with UNCW Business Services. “UNCW is looking to expand our relationships with the city and county to target foam in their operations.”

“The University of North Carolina Wilmington is making strides to meet demand and create a circular economy with over 95% of materials processed on campus being sent to vendors in North Carolina. The Foam Recycling Coalition is proud to support the university’s efforts to divert more foam polystyrene from landfills,” said Natha Dempsey, president of the Foodservice Packaging Institute, which oversees FRC.

The grant is made possible through contributions to FRC, which focuses exclusively on increased recycling of post-consumer foam polystyrene. Its members include Americas Styrenics; Chick-fil-A; CKF Inc.; Dart Container Corp.; Dolco; Dyne-A-Pak; Genpak; INEOS Styrolution America LLC; Lifoam Industries, LLC; Pactiv Evergreen; and Republic Plastics.

UNCW is the 27th grant recipient to receive this funding since 2015. Over 8 million additional residents in the U.S. and Canada can recycle foam polystyrene as a result of FRC grants. Visit www.RecycleFoam.org to learn more about foam recycling, read about previous recipients or apply for a grant.