APR’s Inaugural Recycling in Action Month Draws National Participation, Boosts Public Confidence in Plastics Recycling
- Published: July 22, 2025
Thousands of Americans got a firsthand look at how plastics are recycled during the Association of Plastic Recyclers’ (APR) inaugural Recycling in Action month—and the results are clear: public confidence in the system increased.
This May, 36 facilities across 20 states opened their doors for more than 150 public tours, offering an inside look at how recyclables are sorted, processed, and turned into new products. The effort drew strong participation and created immediate impact. According to post-tour surveys:
-85% of attendees said they came away believing recycling works better than they previously thought.
-74% expressed strong confidence that what they put in the bin actually gets recycled.
-70% reported they now feel more confident in their ability to recycle correctly.
-82% said they are very likely to share what they learned with others.
Tour participants explored the inner workings of Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) or Plastic Reclaimers, including the advanced technologies that sort plastics and other materials. They also learned why common mistakes-- like placing bagged recyclables or food-contaminated items in the bin—can disrupt the recycling stream, along with simple tips to improve recycling habits at home.
“At a time when public trust in recycling is often challenged, demonstrating that the system works is central to APR’s mission,” said APR President & CEO Steve Alexander. “In 2022 alone, North American recyclers processed 5 billion pounds of plastic. That’s the equivalent of 340 truckloads of plastic kept out of landfills every single day. By showing the recycling process in action, we helped demystify how plastics are recovered and gave people a renewed sense of confidence in the system.”
APR member companies and local partners praised Recycling in Action for strengthening community engagement and showcasing the circular economy in action.
“At WM, we believe it’s important to show people the journey recyclables take from the bin to becoming new products,” said Brent Bell, vice president of recycling, WM. “WM is proud to work with APR, including taking communities behind the scenes at some of our facilities to advance recycling education and highlight the positive impacts of our industry’s growing investments in plastic recycling. Together, we can recycle more plastics and build a stronger, more sustainable future.”
Participating recyclers include: Baltimore County MRF, Casella, Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority, Circular Services, Curbside Management, Eureka Recycling, First Star Recycling, Kent County Department of Public Works, KW Plastics, Millennium Recycling, Montgomery County MRF, North Gateway Transfer Station, Pellitteri Waste Systems, PureCycle, Recology, Republic Services, Rumpke Waste & Recycling, Schupan Recycling, Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County, Town of LaPointe MRF, Tri-County Recycling Facility, and WM.
“When we drop recyclables in the bin, most of us have no idea what happens next,” said Pia Baker, APR’s Marketing Director. “Recycling shouldn’t feel abstract or hidden. Recycling In Action was designed to show people what really happens inside recycling facilities and highlight the incredible work our members do in communities across the country every day. When people can see the process with their own eyes, it builds confidence in the system and leads to more and better recycling.”
Building on this year’s success, APR is already exploring plans to expand the program in 2026 to include more facilities, more tours, and even greater outreach.
For more information, visit: plasticsrecycling.org/recycling-in-action
