US Flexible Film Initiative

What US Flexible Film Initiative does

US Flexible Film Initiative (USFFI) is a nonprofit industry coalition founded in July 2025 and headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, dedicated to building scalable recycling infrastructure for flexible plastic packaging in the United States. The organization was formed by six founding corporate members—Mars, PepsiCo, Nestlé, General Mills, Mondelēz International, and Hill's Pet Nutrition—and has since expanded to include associate members Emerald Packaging and Charter Next Generation. USFFI operates by channeling membership contributions as direct operational funding to Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) and plastic reclaimers, providing multi-year contracts to bridge the gap between recycling costs and profitable sale prices for flexible film materials.

The coalition's core activities center on issuing Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to identify demonstration projects in California, with explicit plans to expand to other states adopting Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs. USFFI's strategy is anchored to California's SB 54 legislation, which mandates that all single-use packaging be recyclable or compostable by 2032 and sets a 65% recycling rate target. The organization coordinates with peer initiatives such as the Flexible Film Recycling Alliance, The Recycling Partnership, Circular Action Alliance, and Delterra to align efforts and avoid duplication. Resource Recycling Systems (RRS) serves as a core implementation partner, having been engaged in 2024 to help launch the coalition and identify gaps in the flexible packaging recovery system.

USFFI's revenue model is built on recurring membership contributions from corporate and associate members, with no publicly disclosed pricing or product sales. The organization's primary beneficiaries are MRFs and reclaimers that receive operational subsidies, while brand owners and retailers benefit through pathways to EPR compliance and progress against sustainability commitments. USFFI positions itself as a demonstration mechanism to prove that flexible packaging can be economically recycled when appropriate funding and coordination are in place, serving as a bridge between current operational realities and longer-term policy frameworks.

Name

US Flexible Film Initiative

Legal name

US Flexible Film Initiative

Website

http://www.usffi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2025

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

US Flexible Film Initiative is a nonprofit coalition founded in 2025 by major CPG brands (Mars, PepsiCo, Nestlé, General Mills, Mondelēz, Hill's Pet Nutrition) that funds and coordinates Materials Recovery Facilities and reclaimers to advance flexible plastic packaging recycling, initially in California.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Plastic Recycling Coalition Services

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (56292)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Material Recovery Facilities (MRF) & Single-Stream Recycling Processing (IMAIAFAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Reusable Packaging & Container Return Programs (On-site) (BPABALAJ)

Keywords

• Plastic recycling coalition
• Flexible packaging recovery
• Recycling infrastructure funding
• Packaging circularity programs
• Material recovery subsidies

Headquarters

HQ city

Ann Arbor

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership contributions: USFFI is funded through membership contributions from founding corporate members including Mars, PepsiCo, Nestlé, General Mills, Mondelēz International, and Hill's Pet Nutrition, as well as associate members like Charter Next Generation and Emerald Packaging. These members provide financial contributions to fund subsidies for MRFs and reclaimers.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

USFFI is a nonprofit membership coalition formed by leading consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies that provides direct operational funding to materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and plastic reclaimers to make flexible plastic packaging recycling economically viable. The organization issues Requests for Information (RFIs) and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to identify demonstration projects from MRFs, reclaimers, and end markets, and offers multi-year contracts to support the sorting, processing, and sale of post-consumer flexible films.

Product overview

The US Flexible Film Initiative (USFFI) is a nonprofit membership coalition that operates as a funding and coordination mechanism rather than a traditional product company. The organization provides direct operational funding to materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and plastic reclaimers to make flexible plastic packaging recycling economically viable. USFFI issues RFIs and RFPs to identify demonstration projects, beginning in California, and offers multi-year contracts to support the sale and acquisition of flexible film materials. The coalition includes founding members (General Mills, Mars, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, Hill's Pet Nutrition, PepsiCo) and associate members (Emerald Packaging, Charter Next Generation) who contribute funding and expertise to advance scalable circular solutions for flexible packaging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MRF and Reclaimer Operational Funding Direct operational funding provided to materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and plastic reclaimers to support the economics of sorting, processing, and reclaiming flexible plastic packaging, with multi-year contracts bridging the gap between recycling costs and profitable sale prices.
• RFI/RFP Program Formal Requests for Information and Proposals issued to identify demonstration projects from MRFs, reclaimers, processors, and end markets that enable collection, processing, and use of post-consumer flexible films in economically viable and environmentally responsible ways.
• Coalition Membership Nonprofit membership offering full membership for brand owners (founding CPG companies including General Mills, Mars, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, Hill's Pet Nutrition, and PepsiCo) and associate membership for flexible packaging manufacturers and other industry stakeholders committed to advancing flexible film recycling.

Quantifiable outcome

• Demonstrate that flexible packaging can be successfully sorted, processed, and returned to the supply chain when right economic supports are in place
• +1 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, minor and core.

• Charter Next Generation (CNG)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 March 2026Associate member providing sustainable material science solutions and film design expertise. CNG is only the second non-CPG company to join, contributing expertise to strengthen material recovery systems and domestic end markets for recycled films.
• Emerald PackagingsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2026First associate member and first flexible packaging manufacturer to join USFFI. Emerald Packaging, the largest supplier of retail flexible packaging for the produce industry, is making a major financial contribution to help bring flexible films into the circular economy.
• Flexible Film Recycling AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry stakeholder group that participated in Northeast Recycling Council webinar discussing barriers to film and flexible packaging recycling alongside USFFI and other organizations.
• DelterraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization participating in industry discussions about flexible film recycling barriers and solutions at the Northeast Recycling Council webinar.
• The Recycling PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization participating in discussions about film and flexible packaging recycling infrastructure challenges at industry webinars.
• Circular Action AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organization participating in panel discussions on film and flexible packaging recycling, contributing to understanding of infrastructure economics and end markets.
• Resource Recycling Systems (RRS)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEngaged in 2024 to help launch USFFI and implement the coalition's work. RRS assisted founding members in identifying gaps in the flexible packaging recovery system.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Recycling Partnership: National nonprofit that funds and advances recycling infrastructure improvements across the U.S. — closely comparable to USFFI's mission of subsidizing MRFs and recycling programs, and participates alongside USFFI in industry forums on film recycling.
• Circular Action Alliance: Producer responsibility organization (PRO) implementing EPR programs for paper and packaging in multiple U.S. states. Directly relevant as a peer shaping recycling infrastructure economics under EPR frameworks where USFFI operates.
• Flexible Film Recycling Alliance: Industry coalition specifically focused on advancing flexible film and plastic packaging recycling — the most direct peer to USFFI's narrow focus area, participating in the same Northeast Recycling Council webinars and policy discussions.
• Association of Plastic Recyclers: Trade association representing companies that recycle plastics, including flexible films. Comparable as an industry-coordination body that engages reclaimers and MRFs on plastic recycling economics and end-market development.

Broad incumbents

• Sustainable Packaging Coalition: Industry coalition of CPGs, retailers, and packaging companies advancing sustainable packaging practices. Comparable cross-sector membership model, though broader in scope than USFFI's film-specific focus.
• Closed Loop Partners: Investment firm and incubator dedicated to advancing the circular economy, including through funding recycling infrastructure. Operates at a broader portfolio level than USFFI but pursues overlapping circular-economy objectives.

Emerging players

• Delterra: Environmental nonprofit focused on improving recycling systems in the Americas. Comparable nonprofit operating model, with partial overlap in the flexible packaging recycling space as a panel participant.
• Plastic Pollution Coalition: Global advocacy nonprofit working to end plastic pollution and advance circular solutions. Tangentially adjacent — overlapping mission space around flexible packaging sustainability, though oriented more toward advocacy than operational funding.

Regional players

• Northeast Recycling Council: Regional recycling council serving U.S. Northeast states. Comparable convening function for recycling stakeholders, though regionally focused rather than nationally — USFFI participates in NERC webinars as a peer presenter.

Others

• Resource Recycling Systems (RRS): Consulting firm specializing in recycling systems analysis, engaged by USFFI itself for the 2024-2025 launch. Functionally adjacent as an ecosystem enabler providing technical support to coalitions like USFFI and the broader MRF/reclaimer ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/usffi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about US Flexible Film Initiative