Posted in Recycling Today, Sept. 23, 2026
Thousands of North Americans got an inside look at how plastics are recycled during the Association of Plastic Recyclers’ (APR’s) second annual “Recycling in Action” month, the Washington-based organization says.
APR says that throughout the month of May, 41 facilities across 21 states, including one in Mexico, hosted more than 135 public tours, giving more than 2,500 visitors a firsthand look at how recyclables are sorted, processed and turned into new products.
The organization claims post-tour surveys showed that the experience helped strengthen public confidence in the recycling system, noting that 78 percent of attendees said they came away believing recycling works better than they previously thought; 78 percent expressed strong confidence that what they put in the bin gets recycled; and 89 percent said they are very likely to share what they learned with others
“Facility tours are an effective way to build trust in the recycling process, giving community members the opportunity to see how recycling works firsthand,” APR President and CEO Steve Alexander says. “This is especially important at a time when public trust is challenged and can leave people uncertain about what happens to their recyclables after they are placed in the bin. We’re grateful to all the facilities and partners who opened their doors this year and helped build greater understanding and confidence in recycling within their communities.”
Participating locations and recycling facilities include:
“One of the most powerful moments during our Recycling in Action tours is when visitors see recyclables transformed from a pile of mixed materials into market-ready commodities,” says Kara Napolitano, education director for New York-based Circular Services. “That firsthand experience demonstrates that recyclable materials are valuable resources that can be returned to manufacturing and used again. By opening our doors to the community, we help build trust in the recycling system and reinforce the important role residents play in keeping valuable materials in circulation.”
Kristen Rinehart, vice president of recycling at Hilliard, Ohio-based ADS, one of the largest plastic recyclers in North America, says her company was proud to participate in the initiative.
“Opening our facility gives people the opportunity to see firsthand how discarded plastics are transformed into valuable new products and to better understand the role they play in the recycling value chain,” Rinehart says. “The variety of perspectives represented by tour participants generated meaningful conversations and reinforced the importance of continued education, engagement and industry collaboration to advance a more circular economy.”
APR says it welcomes even more facilities, including MRFs and plastic reclaimers across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, to join in 2027.
