Connecting and Improving at the Plastics Recycling Conference

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Plastics Recycling Conference (PRC) in National Harbor, Maryland. This annual event always provides an invaluable opportunity for plastic recyclers to break through barriers by sharing knowledge and expertise, networking with peers, and learning about the latest technologies and trends in the industry.

This year we partnered with ExxonMobil to empower conference attendees with a greater selection of responsible options for their flexible plastics. Not only did this partnership allow for the overall volume of recyclables collected to improve from previous years, but it also served to educate guests on the differences between mechanical and advanced recycling methods. By equipping businesses with knowledge and resources to practice more sustainable operations, iSustain and ExxonMobil champion a much-needed shift toward a circular economy.

Proud to Partner with ExxonMobil

iSustain has maintained a collaborative dialogue with ExxonMobil since 2019, striving to make the advanced recycling facility in Baytown, Texas more capable of recycling different plastic waste products. We recognized that ExxonMobil’s advanced technology could significantly supplement traditional mechanical processes to allow for more materials to be recycled than ever before, and assisted them in doing so.

Thanks to this partnership, many previously unrecyclable materials can now be upcycled and reused in new products, continuing ExxonMobil’s environmental strides in Baytown. In a separate sustainability project, for example, ExxonMobil expects to capture about 50 million metric tons of CO2 by 2030, increasing that to as much as 100 million by 2040. Good work is being done in Baytown, and we are honored to be a part of it.

At the 2023 Plastics Recycling Conference, ExxonMobil shared in-depth details on a range of chemical recycling processes. Not only did they discuss technical details such as resin types and contamination levels in waste byproducts, but they also offered insights into the economic factors at play in different regions. Looking ahead, ExxonMobil painted an optimistic outlook for those looking to capitalize on chemical recycling capabilities, highlighting the advancements in technology, increased efficiency, and diverse applications that can make use of recycled materials. 

We thank Natalie Martinez, the North America Advanced Recycling Commercial Manager for ExxonMobil, for sharing her knowledge with us and for her work in developing sources of plastic feedstock for ExxonMobil’s advanced recycling operations. The information she provided was incredibly valuable and provides a foundation to help operators better prepare for successful projects. We would also like to thank Rachel Dial, Chief of Staff and Director of Sustainability at PureCycle, who spoke at this session as well.

Looking Forward to Working with Our 2022 Partner Again

At last year’s PRC, PureCycle Technologies was our partner in offering PureZeroTM recycling bins for conferencegoers. Thankfully, that collaboration was only our first project together as peers in sustainability. The Friday before this year’s Plastics Recycling Conference, iSustain and PurecycleTechnologies closed a deal for us to supply them with 10 million pounds of feedstock. 

Our collaboration with PureCycle Technologies is an important step towards tackling plastic waste pollution. Our combined efforts focus on diverting post-use polypropylene and other packaging materials, which are not usually recycled, from landfills and the waterways. This partnership has the potential to remove up to ten million pounds of plastic material from our natural environment, significantly reducing contamination from these sources. It’s through combined actions like this with organizations that have the planet’s well-being at heart that we can create a more sustainable future.

Numbers Don’t Lie, and We Know Our Data

As a platinum sponsor of the Plastics Recycling Conference, iSustain was proud to moderate a discussion on the latest statistics and projects involving plastic recycling collection and reclamation. Advances in data collection can help to enormously improve the amount and quality of plastic collected for reprocessing, and while it is clear that we are continuing to make progress as an industry, further studies must be done to examine the complexities within the global plastics supply chain. 

As industrial recycling leaders, we identify meaningful strategies for increasing sustainability by pinpointing challenging areas. With discussions such as this one, we can capitalize on the growing pool of data to gain insight into how we should proceed with this life-altering work. Thank you, Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), Stina Inc., and TC Transcontinental, for joining us in this session.

We Are Honored to Be an Authority on Advanced Recycling

It’s a privilege to help companies manage complex recycling issues with the assistance of advanced recycling. Advanced recycling is allowing us to take our commitment to sustainability further, recycling plastic polymers into virgin-like resins and continuously repurposing them into thoughtfully created products. 

Chemical, molecular, tertiary, or feedstock recycling is monumental as it enables us to reuse materials without compromising their quality or diminishing resources. The use of advanced recycling has become increasingly important for manufacturing operations worldwide and is becoming a cornerstone of our commitment to a more sustainable future. Over the past year, iSustain moved 11 million pounds of plastic feedstock to advanced recycling facilities in North America, and we were honored to speak to PRC attendees about advanced recycling and how it is changing the world around us.

Thank You to All Who Helped Create a Phenomenal PRC

One of the key themes of each year’s conference is the need to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of plastic recycling. As plastic waste accumulates in landfills and oceans, there is an urgent need to find ways to reduce the environmental impact of plastic waste. The Plastics Recycling Conference provides a forum for participants to discuss strategies and best practices for reducing waste, increasing recycling rates, and promoting sustainability. 

The role of technology in this pursuit cannot be overstated. New tools are constantly emerging, and the conference provides a platform for companies to showcase their latest innovations. As our industry continues to evolve, the Plastics Recycling Conference remains a key forum for sharing knowledge and promoting sustainability. Thank you to everyone who joined!