All Resources
Webinar Recording: Plastic Cup & Container Recycling Update
Recording of the October 2024 FPI webinar featuring industry, MRF, and material processor representatives who are recycling plastic-based cup and container takeout packaging.
Residential Composting & Foodservice Packaging: Eight Program Case Studies
This study examines the diversity of existing residential curbside collection programs for food scraps and compostable packaging. FPI analyzed eight exemplary programs to gain a deeper understanding of their key features, identify the main challenges they face, and highlight their successful strategies.
Webinar Recording: Recycling Pizza Boxes, Paper Cups, and other Paper-Based Takeout Containers
Recording of the July 2024 FPI webinar featuring MRF, paper mill, and community representatives who are recycling pizza boxes, paper cups, and other paper-based takeout packaging.
Webinar Recording: Insights into Effective Resident Education
In December 2023, FPI held a webinar that shared information on the effect of images, language and special instructions related to recycling take-out containers. We also learned about best practices and tools, and heard real-world examples of resident education from communities and haulers.
Resident Messaging Survey Summary
FPI released a summary of findings from its Resident Messaging Survey, sharing information related to resident assumptions on recyclability, awareness of what items can be recycled, and top sources of recycling instructions. The survey focused on recycling messaging related to take-out items such as plastic cups and containers, paper cups and pizza boxes.
Webinar Recording: Research Findings
Webinar shared several FPI-supported studies including recovery of PET thermoforms, PP cups, paper cups, and the impact of food residue on take-out packaging recycling.
Food Residue Study 2022
A food residue study was conducted in November 2022 to learn whether foodservice packaging (such as take-out containers, cups or pizza boxes) set out for recycling were more contaminated than food contact packaging (such as peanut butter jars, cans or pasta boxes). This study served as a follow-up to two previous food residue studies.
Webinar Recording: Community Partnerships
This webinar recording focused on the FPI community partnership program that works to add a suite of foodservice packaging to curbside recycling and/or composting programs in vetted communities. The panelists walked through the partnership approach, shared resources available to communities, and provided real-world collaboration stories from actual community partners.
Paper Cup End Markets
The number of mills accepting paper cups is growing. Check out our list of confirmed markets for paper cups across North America.
Plastic Cups Bale Sort Study (2015)
As part of the most comprehensive post-consumer plastic container bale sorts done in North Amercia, this plastic cups bale sort study conducted in 2015 showed which rigid plastic bales contained plastic cups as well as the plastic resin types and volumes of plastic cups in each bale type.
Current Acceptance of FSP
To get a better idea of the current acceptance of FSP by cities and/or MRFs in the U.S. and Canada, a benchmarking study was conducted in 2013. While the responses varied widely, the results were encouraging.
Foodservice Packaging in Mixed Paper Bales
To test the impact of paper foodservice packaging in mixed paper bales, a bale audit was conducted with bales purchased from New York City and Seattle markets.
Plastic Cups Bale Sort Study (2021)
To build on knowledge gained during prior studies, FPI participated in an audit to obtain a current snapshot of the prevalence of plastic cups in #3-#7 bales.
Projected Impact of FSP on Existing Bales
Adding foodservice packaging to existing bales makes very little difference to their composition. Learn more about the estimated prevalence of FSP in bales.
MRF Material Flow Study
FPI, along with its co-sponsors, the American Chemistry Council, Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers, Carton Council and National Association for PET Container Resources, conducted a study to analyze the flow of select materials through a MRF and identify best practices to get more recyclables actually recycled.
Paper Mill Statement
In 2021, a group of prominent paper mills and end markets signed a declaration of acceptance and a commitment to increasing recycling of paper cups.
Read more
Recycling End Markets Interactive Map
For MRFs to accept materials, there must be end markets! Explore an interactive map of end markets for a variety of foodservice packaging materials.
Information Sheet for MRFs
Explore our go-to information sheet to understand the basics of foodservice packaging recovery that every community or MRF should know.
Food Residue Webinar
Some communities have expressed concern about adding foodservice packaging to a recycling program because of food residue. But, two recent studies have shown that foodservice packaging is no more contaminated with food than other commonly recycled food-contact items like bottles, jars or cans. View the webinar on this topic for more information.
Food Residue Study
Some communities have expressed concern about adding foodservice packaging to a recycling program because of food residue. But, two recent studies have shown that foodservice packaging is no more contaminated with food than other commonly recycled food-contact items like bottles, jars or cans.