Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) is a sustainability consulting firm and is working on two California SB 54 projects related to establishing the institutional / commercial / industrial (ICI) recycling rate for old corrugated cardboard (OCC) and expanded polystyrene (EPS aka Styrofoam ).
SB 54 is known as the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act and requires that single-use packaging and food ware sold in California be recyclable and/or compostable by 2032. The first step is to establish the current recycling rate of these materials within California. RRS has been asked to determine baseline recycling rates on behalf of the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC). The seafood industry is a critical stakeholder that uses these materials and RRS is hoping you will consider supporting this important research with your participation. No individual company data will be shared publicly, only total rolled up volumes for various commercial sectors will be reported. RRS is happy to sign a non-disclosure if needed and assures all data will be held in confidence. RRS is also happy to jump on a call to answer any questions.
The following outlines the data they are seeking:
- The volume of California generated old cardboard (aka OCC), Paperboard that is disposed or recycled within companies in the seafood supply chain. Rough estimates of the volumes are fine. Please indicate if data is in short tons or pounds.
- If applicable, please add details on how your OCC is recycled.
- The volume of California generated expanded polystyrene (aka EPS or Styrofoam) disposed or recycled within your company. Rough estimates of the volumes are fine. Please indicate if data are in short tons or pounds.
- If applicable, please add details on how your EPS or Styrofoam is recycled.
- Please provide a short description of how old corrugated cardboard or EPS (Styrofoam) is typically managed within your company (e.g., collected, baled, densifies, disposed or recycled, managed by a third party)
- If managed by a third party, please share the name of the company that manages it
By participating you will be contributing to establishing these important baselines developed through a credible, transparent and consistent methodology. The statewide data for each material will be shared with CalRecycle and made available through the relevant trade associations. Thank you in advance for your support.
Please let RRS know if you are willing to participate. They need to complete this work by Thanksgiving. And again, RRS is happy to jump on a call to clarify any questions. For any follow-up questions, please contact Yahang at yzhang@recycle.com.