As millions of soccer fans gather this summer to watch the World Cup, recycling is not likely to be a top of mind priority. Yet many of the players will be living examples of how plastics recycling has evolved. Players from Brazil, Portugal and the Netherlands will be sporting high-tech, “wicking” jerseys made with the use of recycled plastic fibers. Just think that the bottled water or sports drink you enjoyed today could very well end up in South Africa as part of the world’s most prestigious soccer tournament.

When consumers take part in recycling programs for plastics bottles, tubs, trays, and bags, it helps the whole recycling system work better by providing the material to make second-generation products like soccer jerseys, carpeting and composite lumber for outdoor decking. ACC is working to expand the plastic collection infrastructure so consumers can even more easily recycle their plastic bottles. So whether you are a world-class soccer professional, an amateur athlete or just a sports fan, you can do your part by remembering to recycle at home or on the playing field!