Plastic Film Recycling in Practice: How Achilles USA Supports the Circular Economy

Plastic Films Recycling in Action: How Achilles USA Supports the Circular Economy

At Achilles USA, we see plastic scrap as more than waste; it is the beginning of something new. The plastic film produced in our facilities has the potential to be recycled or repurposed, and put back to work. Through in-house recycling, a customer buy-back program, and partnerships with recycling brokers, we make sure that valuable plastic avoids landfill and contributes to new products and applications. Our commitment to sustainability is reinforced by our certifications, like the ISCC PLUS, which provides customers with transparency, traceability, and assurance that our materials meet global standards.

Why Recycling Matters in Plastic Film Manufacturing?

Recycling is not just good environmental practice; it is a critical part of modern manufacturing. By treating scrap as a resource, we create a more resilient and sustainable supply chain. Every ton of recycled plastic reduces reliance on virgin resins, lowers the carbon footprint of new products, and extends the life of materials. Customers benefit too, with recycled films supporting their own circular economy targets while still delivering high performance in demanding applications.

Our In-House Recycling Approach

Achilles USA’s operations are designed to capture and recycle post-production scrap immediately. This process allows us to reintroduce finished material back into the production line in both the same-product and alternate applications. Depending on requirements, films can include anywhere from 0 to 50% post-industrial recycled content by weight. Quality and consistency remain uncompromised because the recycling happens within our own facilities, under the same high standards as every other product we produce. Our films have outstanding properties and capabilities, making them suitable for a wide range of applications.

The Achilles USA Buy-Back Program

Working together with customers is central to extending material life. Our buy-back program enables select partners to return excess or pre-consumer film to us for recycling. Instead of leaving it to disposal, we transform it into new material that enters back into production. This strengthens customer sustainability programs, reduces on-site waste challenges, and turns excess into opportunity for both sides.

Applications that Divert Plastics From Landfill

Some plastics are more technically challenging to recycle in-house. For those cases, we cooperate with trusted recycling brokers who specialize in redirecting material into new industrial applications. This ensures that nearly all scrap generated through our processes finds a productive second life, consistently minimizing what goes to landfill.

The results of these recycling initiatives can already be found across multiple industries. Recycled content from Achilles USA films is used in flooring, hoses, construction products, and more. In some instances, scrap goes back into the same type of product it came from. In others, it finds a completely new application. In either case, the result is the same: plastics are kept in circulation longer and put to effective use.

ISCC PLUS 

Certifications like the ISCC PLUS are highly relevant to the plastic films industry as they provide a verifiable way to incorporate and track recycled and bio-based content in production. This certification confirms that the materials moving through our supply chain are sustainably managed, responsibly traced, and internationally recognized. Customers can rely on transparency and credibility when they integrate Achilles USA films into their own products, knowing that sustainability claims are supported by rigorous third-party oversight and traceable data.

Building a Circular Future Together

By integrating in-house recycling, customer buy-back programs, broker partnerships, and third-party certifications, we have developed a business model that supports the plastic film circular economy as effectively as possible. For us, sustainability is not just a side initiative; it is a continuous practice that creates measurable benefits for both our customers and the environment.

Discover more about our sustainability practices here and if you want to learn how recycled content can enhance your next project, or how to participate in our buy-back program, let’s connect and close the loop together: contact us!