Back in February, a few members from our team attended the 2020 Plastics Recycling Conference and Trade Show in Nashville, TN. It was an amazing few days and we want to share some of the highlights from this year’s conference.

Pictured (Left to Right): Eric Savage, Derek Howell, and Nathan Norden

First, a bit of background on what this conference is all about.

The annual Plastics Recycling Conference and Trade Show brings together reclaimers, manufacturers, government officials and other leading sustainability voices from around the world. There are panel discussions and Q&A’s, a massive exhibit hall, and countless opportunities to learn, connect and network with industry leaders.

The main focus this year was on the future of the plastics recycling industry.

For years the U.S. has sent millions of tons of plastics to China. However, in January 2018, China essentially banned imported recyclable materials as part of the “National Sword” policy. The move by China is prompting a lot of thought and innovation here at home.  More and more companies are investing in sustainability and other closed-looped recycling systems.

For example, packaging manufacturers, such as those who make plastic water bottles are starting to think more about what goes into their products. They know it’s important that more of their products be recyclable. With that in mind, they are working closely with bottled water manufacturers who use their products as they strive to produce more sustainable packaging solutions. That’s just one example. These important discussions and partnerships are happening across the industry!

Another hot topic at this year’s event was collections.

This is an area of the business that there tends to be a lot of confusion about, especially with consumers. Many of us simply throw our recyclable goods into a mixed-commodity container and leave it at the curb each collection day. Those goods are sorted later at a recycling facility before they can be processed. It is a convenient system for consumers, but it requires significant time and energy to sort these items. This has motivated many in the industry to start thinking more about the collection process and look for ways to make it more efficient in the future.

“We recognized early on that providing mixed-commodity collections for our customers was important. For commercial manufacturers looking to reduce their waste stream, sorting can be a huge and often overwhelming task. It was great to see and hear that so many people in the industry are aligning and starting to look for more outside the box solutions. Awareness is spreading and positive change is coming!” – Derek Howell, Quincy Recycle

Why are conferences like this important to Quincy Recycle and our customers?

With our Plastic Recycling services continuing to expand and grow, it was important for us to be a part of this great event to explore and learn about new trends in the recycling industry. We gain valuable insight into how what we are doing compares to other industry leaders. These conferences help drive positive change and Quincy Recycle is committed to playing a major role.

There was so much to see and do at this year’s conference. We had a great time connecting with many of our existing partners while also having the opportunity to expand our network. Our team is excited about all of the forward-thinking and innovation taking place in the industry. Great things are coming!

Want to learn more about how Quincy Recycle can help you solve your waste stream problems?

We offer a wide variety of services designed to meet your specific needs. Contact us today and together we can make an impact.