Revolutionizing Recycling: Fayette County’s New Initiative Tackles Plastic Bag and Food Wrap Waste

Thin, flexible plastics—like bags and food wraps—are some of the hardest materials to recycle. They often get stuck in recycling machines, causing equipment breakdowns. In Fayette County, a new facility claims to be one of the world’s largest recyclers of these types of plastics.

NOVA Chemicals, known for producing new plastic materials, aims to meet the growing demand for recycled, food-safe plastic. Their recycled plastics can be used in products like frozen food bags, trash liners, and even decking.

The challenge has been creating a steady market for recycled plastic film. Diego Alzate-Sanchez, an assistant chemistry professor at Northeastern University, explains that “it’s cheaper to make plastics from oil,” making recycling less competitive. This isn’t just a chemistry issue—it’s a market challenge.

Alan Schrob, the director of the new NOVA plant, is optimistic about the future. He notes that various industry efforts, like producer responsibility programs and state mandates for recycled content, are helping build a market for recycled products. These efforts will ensure that the messes made by plastic waste are tackled effectively.

Vice President Greg DeKunder states that the facility is starting with recycling the plastic that wraps pallets shipped to stores. This plastic type is less likely to be contaminated, and there’s a significant supply in nearby areas like Cincinnati and Chicago.

Once collected, this plastic is shredded, cleaned, and turned into pellets that manufacturers can use. However, you likely won’t see products made entirely from recycled materials just yet. Most manufacturers blend 20% to 50% recycled content with new materials to maintain product quality.

By 2026, NOVA aims to produce over 110 million pounds of recycled plastic each year. This is an important step towards reducing plastic waste and fostering sustainability in the market.

For more insights on recycling and climate strategies, check out this climate change article.

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