NAPCOR raises concerns over recycling PLA containers

July 27 -- A trade group representing companies that make polyethylene terephthalate containers is challenging the idea that polylactic acid containers can be successfully mixed with PET containers in the recycling stream.

The National Association for PET Container Resources, or NAPCOR, is raising concerns over the "cost of separation, increased contamination and yield loss" as well as the impact on recycled PET quality and processing, the group said.

"We don´t doubt that PLA can be recycled," said Tom Busard, NAPCOR chairman. "But there are unquestionably some big issues yet to overcome."

"The current reality is that these issues transfer significant system costs and logistics burdens to the PET recyclers, impacting the viability and continued sustainability of their businesses," he said.

PLA and PET containers cannot be distinguished from one anther by sight, NAPCOR said. PLA is biodegradable.

NAPCOR´s stance follows a study by NatureWorks LLC, a maker of PLA, that shows its material can be sorted with infrared scanner technology with 93% accuracy. There also was no contamination of recycled PET with PLA being in the same recycling stream, the study contends.

But NAPCOR said not all recyclers use infrared scanners, which can cost $200,000 more.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Jim Johnson at 937-964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com