ISRI and The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) have made updates to the ISRI specifications and APR model bale specifications to include updated recycled plastics specifications. Following a process between the two organizations and their members, the specifications were approved separately during October 2023 by both the ISRI Board of Directors and the APR Board of Directors. These specification updates are intended to more accurately reflect the recycled polypropylene (PP) and mixed rigid plastics currently being traded in the marketplace.
Updated specifications
Mixed bulky rigid plastic specifications
Any large rigid polypropylene (PP) high-density polyethylene (PE) and/or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastic items that may have the ASTM D7611 resin identification codes #5 PP, #2 HDPE, and/or #4 LDPE generated through a positive sort from curbside, drop-off, or other public or private recycling collection program. Examples include buckets, crates, waste bins, laundry baskets, large toys, large storage bins, and lawn furniture or other large PP/HDPE items. Buckets/pails with metal handles are accepted. Small injection moulded HDPE containers may be included. PP small items can also be included but are encouraged to be put in a PP Small Rigid bale.
Product: bulky rigid plastic
Source: Post-consumer material collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some material that has met its intended use from commercial establishments.
Check with buyers about their allowances for:
Regarding the inclusion of plastic items with metal such as axels and bolts and toys with electronic components and screws
Contamination: Total contamination should not exceed 15 percent by weight.
Allowable contaminants at low levels: These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed two percent by weight of any of the following "individual" contaminants unless noted otherwise:
- HDPE bottles, canisters, or other blow moulded containers.
- Any other non-PP or Non-HDPE rigid plastic (large or small) including PET (#1), PS (#6), other (#7), and compostable plastic (e.g., PLA and PHA) (four percent maximum of all combined)
- Liquid or other residues
- Loose paper or cardboard (OCC)
- Any plastic bags or film
- Metal, wood, glass
Contaminants not allowed: If present, these contaminants may result in rejection:
- PVC (#3) in any form, including vinyl siding and white PVC pipe
- Coolers of any type
- Baby/child car seats
- Drums (e.g., 55gl HMW drum)
- Polycarbonate (PC) rigid plastic, including bottles
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) rigid plastic, e.g. (computer housing)
- Any item with degradable additives
- Containers which held hazardous materials, such as flammable, corrosive, or reactive products, pesticides, or herbicides
- Any plastic foam, particularly EPS (expanded polystyrene)
- Batteries
- Electronics scrap, including items with circuit boards or battery packs (e.g., toys, computer products)
- Bio-medical waste/items (e.g., syringes, sharps, gloves, masks)
- Rocks, stones, mud, oils, grease
PP small rigid plastic specifications
Any polypropylene (PP) containers, packaging or products with the ASTM D7611 "#5, PP" resin identification code generated through a positive sort from curbside, drop-off, or other public or private recycling collection program. Bottles, tubs, cups and other containers and packaging, as well as non-container/packaging or products, are accepted.
Product: Polypropylene containers, packaging, and products
Source: Post-consumer material collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some material that has met its intended use from commercial establishments.
Check with buyers as to their allowances for:
Bulky PP items greater than 3 gallons equivalent size, (e.g., buckets, crates, waste bins, laundry baskets, large toys, and large storage bins). These items are accepted in the Mixed Rigid Bulky Bale.
Contamination: Total contamination should not exceed 15 percent by weight.
Allowable contaminants at low levels: These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed two percent by weight of any of the following "individual" contaminants unless noted otherwise.
- High-density polyethylene (#2) or low-density polyethylene (#4) rigid plastic (10 percent)
- PET (#1), PS (#6) rigid plastic (3 percent maximum of all combined
- Any other non-PP rigid plastic, including other (#7) and compostable plastic (e.g., PLA and PHA) (1 percent)
- Liquid or other residues
- Loose paper or cardboard (OCC)
- Aluminum cans
Contaminants not allowed: If present, these contaminants may result in rejection.
- PVC (#3) in any form
- Any item with degradable additives
- Containers which held hazardous materials, such as flammable, corrosive, or reactive products, pesticides, or herbicides
- Any plastic bags or film
- Non-PP plastic foam
- Other metal, wood, glass
- Batteries
- Electronics scrap, including items with circuit boards or battery packs
- Bio-Medical waste/items (e.g., syringes, sharps, gloves, masks)
- Rocks, stones, mud, oils, grease
Mixed small rigid plastic specifications
Small rigid plastic items that are a mix of resins and generated in a positive sort from a curbside, drop-off, or other public or private recycling programs. Primary PP, PET, and HDPE with some other resins. Items include bottles, non-bottle containers, other packaging and non-containers/packaging or products. PET and HDPE bottles are present at varying levels and are typically presorted out with some remaining. Items containing metal or electronics should be removed when possible.
Product: Small bottles, containers, packaging, and products
Source: Post-consumer material collected primarily from residential sources, may also include some material that has met its intended use from commercial establishments.
Check with buys as to their allowances for:
Bulky rigid plastic items greater than 3 gallons equivalent size, (e.g., buckets, crates, waste bins, laundry baskets, large toys, large storage bins, and lawn furniture). These items are accepted in the mixed rigid bulky bale.
Contamination: Total contamination should not exceed 15 percent by weight.
Allowable contaminants at low levels: These contaminants are tolerable at low levels. The following contaminants should not exceed five percent by weight of any of the following "individual" contaminants unless noted otherwise.
- PS up to (10 percent)
- Rigid plastic of any other resin, not mentioned elsewhere in the specification
- Aluminum cans
- Liquid or other residues
- Loose paper or cardboard (OCC)
Contaminants not allowed: If present, these contaminants may result in rejection. The following contaminants are not allowed at any level (zero percent allowed).
- Any PVC (#3) in any form
- Products with degradable additives
- Containers which held hazardous materials, such as flammable, corrosive, or reactive products, pesticides, or herbicides
- Any plastic bags or film
- Any plastic foam
- Other metal, wood, glass
- Batteries
- Electronics scrap, including items with circuit boards or battery packs
- Bio-Medical waste/items (e.g., syringes, sharps, gloves, masks)
- Rocks, stones, mud, oils, grease
These three proposed revisions replace several existing PP and mixed rigid specifications to reduce confusion and better reflect the scope of what is traded and processed in today's marketplace.
"These most recent ISRI and APR specifications updates align with the recycled materials industry focus on technological innovations and Design for Recycling," said ISRI President Robin Wiener. "The changes announced reflect the ongoing review by dedicated volunteers in ISRI's plastics and our partnership with the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). Our partnership allows us to work together to strengthen our specifications."
As a result of technological innovations – optical sorters, robotics, and the application of artificial intelligence – the industry can now sort and process plastics for recycling more effectively than ever before. However, the continually evolving packaging and recycling streams mean that updated bale specifications and recycling-compatible package design remain critical to maintaining and improving recycled material quality.
"We are pleased to continue collaborative efforts with ISRI to facilitate recycled market consistency and quality," said Steve Alexander, APR President & CEO. "It is also essential to note that items listed as commonly accepted should be designed to be compatible with the recycling stream so they don't contribute to reduced yield or quality of recycled material which is required to align with the APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability."
These specifications facilitate communication between MRFs and reclaimers by describing what materials are commonly accepted. They also clearly convey the contaminants that are tolerable at low levels and those that are prohibited because they are difficult or dangerous for reclaimers to manage.
