KW Plastics was awarded for pioneering approaches to recycling at a ceremony in Washington D.C. Thursday with the Innovation in Plastics Recycling Award.

The Troy-based company joined Safeplay Systems and Sony Electronics in being celebrated by the American Chemistry Council for developing innovative processes and/or using post-consumer recycled plastics.

“As the world’s largest plastics recycler, KW Plastics has often been the leader in developing new markets and technologies to divert plastics from the landfill while creating jobs and revenue for the domestic economy,” said Stephanie Baker, director of market development for KW Plastics Recycling Division. “The innovations we have implemented, together with cooperative efforts with our partners and suppliers, are making plastics recycling easier than ever before.”

KW Plastics was awarded for its pioneering approaches to recycling post-consumer polypropylene packaging. The company developed processes, specifications and equipment that overcome challenges with melt flow, layers and additives.

Now, KW is able to process yogurt cups, butter tubs, ketchup bottles, juice boxes and even corrugated yard signs.

In addition, ACC recognizes KW Plastics as an innovator due to the company forging new ground as the first domestic reprocessor to collect and recycle woven and non-woven flexible polypropylene

KW Plastics currently has the capacity to reprocess 450 million pounds of high-density polyethylene and 300 million pounds of polypropylene annually.

“Thanks to the creative advancements brought about by these recyclers and others like them, we are able to keep more valuable plastics out of landfills than ever before,” said Steve Russell, vice president of plastics for the American Chemistry Council. “Used plastics are too valuable to waste and can be recycled to make high-quality, innovative products, such as furniture, car parts, home building products, fashion and packaging.”