APR issues updates for meetings, programs and budgets

APR issues updates for meetings, programs and budgets

By Editorial Staff, Resource Recycling

More than 130 members of the Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers convened in Portland, Oregon in mid-June to assess current trends and issues in plastic packaging recycling, and to conduct organizational business. In addition to reports from the technical committee [1] and a work group [2] on mixed-rigids packaging, the meeting briefed members in attendance on several other ongoing issues within the organization.

Member survey results: A recent survey shows that APR members have a strong desire to work on various association committees. Some members also want the organization to focus more on recycling market development initiatives and to become more involved in film plastics recycling. More than three-quarters of the members are greatly or mostly satisfied with the progress of association and about half are happy with how APR meetings are organized, with others offering several recommendations on how to change the meetings.

California update: Bruce Magnani of the Houston Group, APR's retained counsel in Sacramento, outlined how the California water resources agency is moving toward potentially adopting a policy banning PS single-serve packaging and PE film bags in the state.

Organization budget: APR's revenues have grown substantially in recent years, and now tops $750,000 per year.

Communications report: APR has a number of communications efforts underway. For example, the group draws 300 to 400 people to each of its quarterly web seminars. Association leaders have presented APR program results at a number of conferences in the past year and the association has substantially upgraded its website.

Next meeting: The group will next meet in October in San Antonio and next March, at the Plastics Recycling Conference in New Orleans.

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