Demonstrating its commitment to optimizing packaging materials recovery in the United States, the American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN) will release the preliminary results of a survey of recovery activities in the 100 largest U.S. cities. The event, which will be a free public webinar, takes place on Wednesday, December 19 at 1 p.m. EST. Advance registration is required.
In addition to presenting the 100-city data, the webinar will describe how the information will be used as the foundation for local and state-level partnerships, and to test the hypothesis that the implementation of best practices drives increased material recovery. The group's intention is then to scale this model to mid-size and small market areas across the country.
The 100-city survey is one step in a multi-year Recovery Team initiative, which started by compiling research and industry knowledge across all phases of the packaging recovery system. This information is now available to the public in an interactive web-based tool called the Product Recovery Knowledge Map (PRKM). In the next steps of the initiative, the Recovery Team will move from data collection to action, promoting best practice approaches and helping develop policies for improving materials recovery systems throughout the United States.
"When we first started this process, we wanted to root ourselves in a firm understanding of the state of packaging material recovery," says Jeffrey Meyers, Recovery Work Group co-chair and Coca Cola Refreshments Sustainable Packaging Manager. "Based on that, we are now developing a data-driven understanding of the application of recovery best practices and policies and their impact on diversion rates. This information will drive our 2013 packaging material recovery projects."
The December 19 webinar is the second in a series of AMERIPEN open knowledge-sharing sessions that detail the progressive results of the packaging recovery optimization initiative. The first session, on November 15, introduced the PRKM, and a replay is now available for download.
"The Recovery Team's plans and processes have enabled a clear path forward toward our goals, moving from data collection to analysis to action," says Joan Pierce, AMERIPEN executive director. "The steps in this important initiative clearly demonstrate AMERIPEN's commitment to on-the-ground optimization of the packaging recovery system, our support for state and local governments, and our commitment to increase recovery rates across the United States."
About AMERIPEN
The American Institute for Packaging and the Environment (AMERIPEN) works to improve and promote the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of packaging through increased material recovery rates, better packaging design and materials selection, and public awareness. The organization engages with thought leaders throughout the packaging industry ‒ including representatives of trade associations, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and government agencies ‒ to facilitate relevant research and identify key data and standards to advance the organization's mission.
AMERIPEN efforts are based upon a philosophy of sound science. It welcomes companies that support the philosophy of a collaborative trade and industry organization, active and cooperative issue resolution, and material and packaging system neutrality.
