The collaboration will help increase the use of recycled content by verifying the technical and economic viability of a certified circular system based on advanced recycling technology and mass balancing attribution
The recycling initiative will assist in keeping old flexible plastics out of landfills. (Credit: Igor Ovsyannykov from Pixabay)
Sealed Air (SEE), ExxonMobil and Ahold Delhaize USA have collaborated on a circularity initiative that recycles the flexible plastics from the food supply chain and converts them into new, certified circular food-grade packaging.
The project, which is claimed to be the first of its kind in the US, will begin this summer and expand over time.
The collaboration will help increase the use of recycled content by verifying the technical and economic viability of a certified circular system based on advanced recycling technology and mass balancing attribution.
Ahold Delhaize USA health & sustainability vice president Brittni Furrow said: “We’re proud to work with SEE and ExxonMobil on this collaboration, which has the potential to radically change the way retailers and manufacturers leverage food-grade recycled plastics as a key means of keeping plastics out of landfills.
“We’re eager to learn from this work and apply the learnings to advance our own plastics ambitions, but also advance these efforts broadly, helping to ensure a better tomorrow for our planet.”
The initiative will assist in keeping old flexible plastics out of landfills, increasing the number of times critical plastics can be recycled, and ensuring the safety and quality of packaged goods.
SEE president and CEO Ted Doheny said: “SEE is leading the packaging industry by showing how high-performance packaging materials can be designed to be remade. Advanced recycling is key to these valuable materials being collected and remanufactured.
“Our collaboration with ExxonMobil is opening new recycling possibilities and by partnering with leading retail group Ahold Delhaize USA, we are paving the way for our industry to protect perishable foods while creating a low-carbon, circular economy.”
ExxonMobil polyethylene vice president David Hergenrether said: “We are delighted to work with SEE and Ahold Delhaize USA on this important project.
“This relationship is an example of the value chain collaborations needed to enable a more circular economy. We are excited that certified circular plastics from our Exxtend technology for advanced recycling will play an important role.”