The Flexible Film Recycling Alliance (FFRA) has released its first-ever Impact Report, outlining how the industry group has been working to promote and improve recycling systems for flexible plastic films in the U.S. Funded by the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS), FFRA brings together brands, retailers, recyclers, and material suppliers to expand access to film recycling, shape policy, and improve data and verification systems across the value chain. The report focuses on progress made during 2025, the organization’s first full year of activity.
FFRA estimates that about 5.3 million tons of flexible film and packaging in the U.S. could be recycled using existing technologies, yet only about 0.5 million tons currently are. Commercial sources account for more than three and a half times the volume of post-consumer film that is recycled, and retail takeback programs handle about 11 times more material than curbside systems.
One of the most visible tools highlighted in the report is the Plastic Film Recycling Directory, which launched in January 2025. The digital platform now lists more than 20,000 drop-off locations from over 60 retail partners, covering all 50 states and Puerto Rico. FFRA reports the directory has surpassed 170,000 unique users and averages about 18,000 monthly visitors.
“FFRA’s first Impact Report shows what’s possible when manufacturers, retailers, recyclers, and policymakers work together toward a shared goal,” says Patrick Krieger, senior vice president of sustainability and policy at the PLASTICS. “In 2025, FFRA made meaningful headway from expanding access to film recycling nationwide to shaping policy outcomes that better reflect how recycling systems actually work.”
The report also points to strong user engagement with the directory. Consumers who completed the site’s recycling quiz answered about 75% of questions correctly, which FFRA interprets as growing awareness of how and where film can be recycled.
On the policy front, FFRA has been concentrating heavily on California. In 2025, the organization conducted more than 78 meetings with state stakeholders and participated in two public comment processes related to SB 54. These efforts helped lead to alternative collection systems, such as store drop-off, being formally recognized as a collection method in final regulations.
“FFRA’s progress shows what’s possible when industry aligns around a shared goal and speaks with a harmonized voice,” says Kurt Kurzawa, senior director of sustainability and packaging at PLASTICS. “We’re proud of the momentum we’ve built from expanding access to film recycling to strengthening trust through verification.”
Verification is a major theme in the report. FFRA is developing a third-party verification standard to confirm reported collection volumes, assess contamination, and ensure collected film is actually recycled into new products. Pilot testing of the program is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, with full implementation targeted for mid to late 2026.
Research and development efforts have included bale audits across different collection methods. Store drop-off and subscription services showed contamination rates under 3%, while curbside material recovery facility bales in the U.S. were shown to contain less than 50% suitable polyethylene film. A Canadian curbside bale, by comparison, reaches 85% suitable content.
The report closes with a roadmap for 2026, including expanding the directory, launching verification, increasing consumer participation, and testing new collection models. FFRA positions these steps as essential for scaling flexible film recycling and building a more credible circular system. PW
