End Markets

Use the tabs below to explore resources, case studies, and more.

Introduction

Successful recovery requires markets that will buy the recovered material.

In some cases, MRFs sell the bales of recovered material to a re-processor, and in other cases straight to an end market where a new product with recycled content is manufactured. The good news for FSP recycling is that there are markets throughout North America that will purchase recovered foodservice packaging as part of commonly traded commodities.

PET cups and containers can be recovered either in a “Prepicked (#3-7)” bale or a “PET Bottle” bale. MRFs and communities are encouraged to talk to their PET bottle markets to see if they'll accept PET thermoforms in bottle bales. Many reclaimers accept thermofoams on a per-supplier basis, particularly from MRFs with automated sorting of PET.

Polypropylene cups and containers can be recovered in a polypropylene bale, a “Tubs and Lids” bale or a “Prepicked (#3-7)” bale.

Polystyrene (PS) cups and containers can be recovered in a polystyrene or a “Prepicked (#3-7)” bale. Foam polystyrene cups and containers may be densified and recovered in a separate foam polystyrene bale or sometimes in a “Prepicked (#3-7)” bale. For more information on foam polystyrene recycling, please check out www.recyclefoam.org.

Polylactic acid (PLA) cups and containers can be recovered in a PLA or “Prepicked (#3-7)” bale. The PLA recycling market is still young, with strides being made on its collection, processing and markets.

Paper Foodservice Packaging: 3/4 of the total targeted FSP tonnage

Clay coated and uncoated paper containers are a welcomed item in a “mixed paper” bale.

Poly coated paper cups and containers can be recovered through a “carton” bale and are also accepted by a growing number of mills as part of a mixed paper bale. Note that only about a third of all paper FSP is poly coated. In case you want even more detail, about half of that amount is single-sided poly and you guessed it, the other half is double-sided poly.

Pizza boxes are an acceptable inclusion for many OCC markets.

Paper bags have been an acceptable recovered material for years, going into "mixed paper" bales.

End Market Development

FPI engages with stakeholders to expand end markets for recovered foodservice packaging materials.

I M P A C T
PAPER CUPS ARE NOW ACCEPTED BY MILLS

REPRESENTING OVER 75%

OF U.S. AND CANADIAN MIXED PAPER DEMAND

Resources

Featured

Webinar Recording: Community Partnerships

This webinar recording focused on the FPI community partnership program that works to add a suite of foodservice packaging to curbside recycling and/or composting programs in vetted communities. The panelists walked through the partnership approach, shared resources available to communities, and provided real-world collaboration stories from actual community partners.

PET Thermoform Study

This study estimates the total generation and recovery of PET thermoforms, explores the PET thermoform sorting and reclamation landscape, & determines potential pathways for PET thermoform recycling.

Paper Cup End Markets

The number of mills accepting paper cups is growing. Check out our list of confirmed markets for paper cups across North America.

Updated

Find a Composter/Anaerobic Digestion Facility

There are a growing number of composters in the U.S. and Canada who accept foodservice packaging.

Visit Searchable Database

Plastic Cups Bale Sort Study (2015)

As part of the most comprehensive post-consumer plastic container bale sorts done in North Amercia, this plastic cups bale sort study conducted in 2015 showed which rigid plastic bales contained plastic cups as well as the plastic resin types and volumes of plastic cups in each bale type.

Foodservice Packaging in Mixed Paper Bales

To test the impact of paper foodservice packaging in mixed paper bales, a bale audit was conducted with bales purchased from New York City and Seattle markets.

Plastic Cups Bale Sort Study (2021)

To build on knowledge gained during prior studies, FPI participated in an audit to obtain a current snapshot of the prevalence of plastic cups in #3-#7 bales.

Projected Impact of FSP on Existing Bales

Adding foodservice packaging to existing bales makes very little difference to their composition. Learn more about the estimated prevalence of FSP in bales.

Paper Mill Statement

In 2021, a group of prominent paper mills and end markets signed a declaration of acceptance and a commitment to increasing recycling of paper cups.

Recycling End Markets Interactive Map

For MRFs to accept materials, there must be end markets! Explore an interactive map of end markets for a variety of foodservice packaging materials.

Learn More

The State of Paper Cup Recycling

A new white paper, authored by Moore & Associates, delves into the evolving landscape of paper cup recovery efforts in the U.S. and Canada including recycling challenges, technical aspects of material sorting and processing, and end markets utilizing recovered cups.

AF&PA Weighs in on Paper Cup Recycling

As pandemic restrictions ease and you start heading back into the office, you may also find you’re frequenting your local coffee shop more often. While you’re sipping your latte, you may wonder … are paper cups recyclable?