How2Recycle® program
A Lifecycle Approach
Across the Novolex portfolio, we take a holistic view of the total lifecycle of our products. This includes consideration of the environmental, economic and social impacts of our products at each phase of the value chain – from the choice of materials and production processes to the way our products are used and disposed of. When viewed through this lens, each type of product in our portfolio presents customers with choices. Given the array of available options, we work closely with our customers to understand their needs, discuss alternatives and help balance their requirements with an understanding of the environmental impact that materials, design and disposal strategies can have.
Sustainable Materials
We make our products with a wide range of materials that offer reduced environmental impacts. In 2023, 47% of our raw materials came from recycled or renewable sources. Across Novolex businesses and products that use paper, we saw an increase in the utilization of post-consumer recycled paper to 52% in 2023 compared to 49% in 2022. Molded fiber-based products such as clamshells and plates can be made not only with recycled material but also with renewable, plant-based materials such as bagasse (sugar cane). Many plastic products also use recycled content, and others are made with plant-based polymers as an alternative to resins derived from fossil fuels. To further conserve materials, we also design products that provide the same benefits but weigh less — by downgauging — thus reducing the amount of material used. Read more about how we use sustainable materials in the 2023 Novolex Sustainability Report.
View 2023 Report
Product End-of-Life
Many Novolex products are designed to be recycled, reused, or composted after use. In 2023, applicable Novolex revenues from products that were recyclable, compostable or reusable grew to an 84% share compared to 78% in 2022. The increase reflects ongoing efforts across the Novolex portfolio to develop products that can be diverted from landfill after use. These include paper and plastic bags for delivery and carryout; containers for prepared food from restaurants, supermarkets, and delis; and more. Our DublLife® paper and Hilex plastic bags are among the most widely recycled or composted Novolex products and also use recycled content. Our Eco-Products® brand offers a variety of products that are made with plant-based materials. These include Vanguard® plates, WorldView bowls, and clamshells each made with molded fiber. These products are sought out by foodservice establishments — from small restaurants to arenas and stadiums — that are committed to composting. (Some Novolex products such as trash can liners and films used in building construction are not intended to be recycled and are excluded from the calculation above.)
Consumer Awareness & Labeling
Novolex products touch the lives of millions of consumers every day. Everyone can play a role in ensuring our products are properly disposed of. But we take our responsibility seriously and whenever possible display easy-to-understand labeling to help consumers understand how to dispose of packaging so that ideally it can be recycled or composted. Novolex is a member of the How2Recycle® program that provides labels to display on packaging that show consumers what to do when the package is ready to be disposed of. We partner with customers to help them adopt the How2Recycle labeling system for the packaging we make for them. Novolex also displays How2Recycle labels on many of our stock products. In addition to How2Recycle, Novolex participates with other industry organizations, including the Association of Plastic Recyclers in the U.S. and RECOUP in the U.K. Each of these organizations promotes design standards and labeling to improve recovery and reduce contamination in recycling streams. To advocate for and develop composting infrastructure, Novolex also works with industry coalitions such as the Biodegradable Products Institute and the Compost Manufacturing Alliance.
Novolex & How2Recycle guide
Global Action
Novolex is a proud contributor to the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, a multinational and multi-sector non-profit organization composed of plastics value chain members – resin suppliers, packaging manufacturers and consumer brand producers - that are committed to keeping plastic waste out of the environment. Established in 2019, Alliance programs are expanding globally creating recycling infrastructure, building markets for post-consumer recycled material, and encouraging consumers to recycle.
View report
Recycling at Novolex
Novolex is a leader in recycling. Two Novolex facilities recycle different types of polyethylene (PE) film used to make stretch wrap, plastic bags, dry cleaning bags, and bread and produce bags among other applications. We acquire and process used film, and we use the recycled resin in our products. Some film is collected from “back-of-house” waste at grocery and retail stores, as well as from warehouses and e-commerce distribution centers where film is used to package incoming deliveries of boxes and pallets. We also process plastic bags collected from consumers through “store drop-off” programs. In 2022, we announced a $10 million investment to increase recycling capacity at our North Vernon, Indiana, recycling facility and plan to double the volume of film that we recycle by the end of 2024. In 2023, Novolex expanded its recycling efforts through a collaboration with Nova® Chemical to operate their new recycling facility which will produce recycled polyethylene that Nova will sell under its Syndigo™ brand.