The plastics recycling company plans to schedule the collection of plastic scrap from residents in Erie, Pennsylvania, using an app-based program.

Traditional recycling programs have failed to curb plastic pollution because the economics behind these programs don't add up. The cost to haul, sort the recyclable plastic from the non-recyclable and eliminate contaminants is often more than what the market will bear for some of the materials.

“[Erie Insurance] told me they wanted to develop the next generation of industry in Erie, and we think recycling is perfect — adding that in fact, there was a huge downstream plastics economy that could be natural customers for our recycled post-consumer resins.”

Nineteen years after International Paper Co. closed its Erie plant, a new buyer has plans for a portion of that property.

Federal Opportunity Zones aimed at jump-starting economic investment and a proposed new $100 million plastics recycling facility have brought U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s top official to Erie.

International Recycling Group, which announced plans in August to build a $100 million plastics recycling plant in Erie, is apparently moving closer to picking a location.

The company plans to develop a plastics recovery facility to separate and sort residential, commercial and industrial plastics in Erie, Pennsylvania.