#United States #California #L'Oréal #Closed Loop Partners #Smalls Consortium

A Push for Recycling Small Plastics in California

Closed Loop Partners, a leader in the circular economy, has formed a coalition known as the Smalls Consortium, alongside L'Oréal and other strategic partners, to improve the recovery of small-format plastics in California. Each year, vast quantities of these tiny plastics—often found in product packaging such as cosmetic items, bottle caps, and even coffee pods—end up in landfills. This inefficiency arises because traditional recycling systems struggle to handle these smaller materials.

The Smalls Consortium aims to change this by developing a systematic approach that captures these materials, especially as California prepares to implement the groundbreaking Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, SB 54, effective January 1, 2027. This law mandates that manufacturers of consumer goods take responsibility for the full lifecycle of their packaging, including its disposal and recycling.

A Collaborative Approach

The consortium consists of major industry stakeholders, including founding partners L'Oréal and other significant players like Kraft Heinz and CVS Health. Marissa McGowan, L'Oréal's Chief Sustainability Officer for North America, emphasizes that companies must collaborate in innovative ways to enhance recovery systems. This effort is not just an environmental necessity; it also protects businesses against supply chain risks associated with raw material sourcing. As companies prepare for compliance with new regulations, such collaborations are essential.

To implement practical recovery solutions, the Smalls Consortium has partnered with Potential Industries, an experienced recycling operator in Southern California. Potential Industries boasts over five decades in the recycling business and runs several regional facilities, ensuring efficient operations that can share valuable insights. Their participation will be crucial in establishing effective recovery methodologies based on real-world testing.

Developing a Scalable Solution

Building upon a robust research framework, the Smalls Consortium has laid out a structured approach, including site evaluations, material characterization, financial modeling, and proactive engagement with end markets. Their primary goal is to set up a model that can be replicated across California and potentially in other states poised to adopt EPR laws.

Dan Domonoske, VP of Potential Industries, notes the importance of ensuring that sufficient market demand exists for recycled small-format materials. The viability of recycling depends on the ability to find suitable markets that will buy these materials at fair prices. This collaboration seeks to create a sustainable system, one that not only improves recovery rates but also strengthens economic infrastructure.

The Closed Loop Center, as part of its efforts, consults with the Circular Action Alliance (CAA), which plays a pivotal role in shaping EPR initiatives across several states. By sharing valuable insights on small-format packaging recovery, the consortium aims to align with California's evolving compliance landscape while maximizing recovery potential.

Future Directions

Through the Smalls Consortium, initiatives focus on refining four core areas:
1. Creating a user-friendly, data-driven roadmap for stakeholders.
2. Enhancing recycling capabilities to include small-format packaging.
3. Ensuring that recovered materials can be repurposed into new products.
4. Collaborating with brands to improve the design of their packaging for better recyclability.

Previous research conducted by the consortium indicates that small-format packaging has been overlooked in the recycling process. The insights from this initiative could help catalyze a shift within the industry, leading to greater environmental and economic sustainability. Kate Daly, Managing Partner of Closed Loop Partners, stresses that this is not just an operational challenge; it embodies a significant missed opportunity. By working together, stakeholders can reshape the infrastructure necessary to handle these materials effectively.

Moving forward, the Smalls Consortium invites businesses from various sectors, including beauty, personal care, food service, and retail, to join their mission. Collaborative efforts will be key in advancing recycling legislation and reaching material recovery goals.

With the rise of stringent EPR laws, proactive participation in initiatives like the Smalls Consortium will not only ensure compliance but also position companies as leaders in sustainability and environmental responsibility. Understanding how to tackle the challenges surrounding small-format plastics will be instrumental as the industry moves towards a more circular economy.