Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy unveiled findings in a new report on small-format plastic packaging recovery.
 
The report builds on over two years of market research and comprehensive recycling tests in partnership with Maybelline New York and its parent company, L’Oréal Groupe, P&G, Kraft Heinz, and Target.
 
Marissa Pagnani McGowan, Chief Sustainability Officer, North America for L’Oréal Groupe, said, 
 
“L’Oréal is excited to partner with Closed Loop Partners to develop innovative solutions for recovering packaging materials, reducing waste and creating opportunities in a fragmented national recycling infrastructure. Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy provides practical and scalable approaches for recovering small-format plastics that end up in landfills.”
 
The findings reveal a viable pathway to recover tens of thousands of tons of valuable small materials—including plastics like polypropylene—from materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and glass recycling plants across the U.S. With the right equipment upgrades and reconfigurations, significant volumes of these materials can be successfully recycled instead of being lost to waste.
 
With support from partners Maybelline New York, L’Oréal Groupe, Kraft Heinz, P&G, and Target, the Center conducted an extensive, in-field process to identify solutions for small-format packaging recovery. 
 
The Center collected samples from two materials recovery factories’ (MRFs) glass streams and one glass recycling plant’s residue streams; trialed equipment configurations to sort plastics from these streams; sent samples to reclaimers to test their processability and market value; and iterated this process multiple times.

Key Report Highlights

• Many small-format plastic materials hold significant market value.
• Logistical solutions already exist to handle them.
• Current technologies can be adapted to effectively recover portions of them at MRFs and glass recycling plants.
• Market demand for these materials is strong—especially from mechanical recyclers.
• Targeted investment at recycling facilities is essential to build a compelling, scalable business case to recover smaller materials.

 
Kate Daly, Managing Partner, Closed Loop Partners’ Center for the Circular Economy, stated, 
 
“We’re eager to put our findings to the test and, through the Consortium to Recover Small-Format Packaging, deploy equipment and infrastructure upgrades to drive real-world proof-of-concepts in the field. It’s critical that we advance solutions to recover valuable small-format materials, like polypropylene, that otherwise typically end up in landfill.”
 
As brands work to meet waste reduction goals and achieve compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility legislation, the opportunity to capture previously unrecovered small-format plastic packaging can have a significant positive impact.
 
Trisha Ayyagari, Global Brand President, Maybelline New York, commented, 
 
“As the number one makeup brand in the world, we have a responsibility to create the most sustainable makeup life cycle possible. Most makeup packaging is too small to be recycled, it literally falls through the cracks at recycling facilities.” 
 
The Center for the Circular Economy’s new findings lay the necessary groundwork and provide the rigorous diligence needed for the creation of a new industry consortium, the Consortium for Small-Format Packaging Recovery. 
 
The Consortium is focused on advancing the recovery of small-format packaging by testing the Center’s latest findings in real-world scenarios across the U.S. 
 
The Center for the Circular Economy anticipates a quantifiable tonnage of materials diverted from landfills, carbon emissions avoided, and post-consumer recycled content generated. 
 
The Consortium will lead the establishment and engagement of a robust value chain for the recovery of small materials, from recyclers, reclaimers, policymakers, and more.
 
The Center is inviting research-phase partners to join while expanding participation to brands across various sectors.  

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