Plastic Film Upcyling

The U.S. generates an alarming 2.8 million tons of LDPE and LLDPE plastic films annually, but a vast majority of this waste—approximately 86.7% (2.4 million tons)—is either sent to landfills or incinerated. This inefficiency not only contributes to the growing landfill crisis but also releases harmful CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

• Only 13.3% (370k tons) of plastic films are recycled each year.
• The annual production of 2.8 million tons of LDPE & LLDPE plastic films results in 6.7 million tons of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions.
• Recycled LDPE & LLDPE have 1/3 the carbon intensity of their virgin counterparts,      representing a significant opportunity to reduce emissions and create a sustainable market.

• The U.S. produces 16 million tons of LDPE & LLDPE annually, of which plastic films account for 17.5% (approximately 2.8 million tons).
• In 2022, the total market for LDPE & LLDPE was valued at $26 billion, with average sales prices of $2,000/ton for virgin materials and $1,500/ton for LDPE & LLDPE.
• Recycled LDPE & LLDPE accounted for 370k tons, generating an estimated $370      million in revenue, but recycled materials represent only 1.4% of the total market.
• This highlights the enormous potential for increased market share as demand for sustainable materials grows and the need for plastic film recycling intensifies.

• 5 states (California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Oregon) have already implemented Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, mandating recycling for plastic      packaging, with several others, including New York, Maryland, and Illinois, exploring similar measures.
• Oregon has set a mandatory reporting and penalty system that begins July 1, 2025, driving further demand for efficient recycling solutions.

Upcycling LDPE & LLDPE from post-consumer plastic films dramatically reduces their carbon footprint. The carbon intensity (CI) of upcycled LDPE & LLDPE is 67% lower than that of virgin materials, offering a major opportunity for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction.

• CI of Virgin LDPE Production: 2.4 tons CO2/ton product
• CI of Upcycled LDPE: 0.8 tons CO2/ton product

At ETS’s recycling plants, each facility can produce 50,000 tons of upcycled LDPE & LLDPE annually, which results in a reduction of 80,000 tons of CO2e per year—a significant contribution to global GHG emissions reduction goals.

The market for recycled LDPE & LLDPE is poised for growth, driven by increasing demand for sustainable materials, regulatory requirements, and the clear environmental benefits of recycling. ETS is positioning itself to lead the charge in developing a network of Plastic Film Recycling plants, capitalizing on the market opportunity and making a measurable impact on carbon emissions.