3M™ Transparency Film Recycling Program

Overhead transparencies make a colorful, persuasive impact on your presentations. But when you throw transparencies away after the show's over, they make their greatest impact-on the environment. That's why 3M has an easy way for you to recycle them. We're the only transparency manufacturer to offer such a program. But we hope others follow our lead. It's that important.

A MILLION REASONS TO RECYCLE USED TRANSPARENCIES
Every year millions of pounds of polyester from transparency film is dumped into landfills. And though transparencies are classified as Type 1 polyester, which is normally easy to recycle, the recycling of imaged transparencies is so complicated that local recycling centers won't accept them. To help reduce this waste-and to take over where those centers leave off-3M has launched a program of its own to transform 3M Transparency Film into reusable polyester.

MAKES ECONOMICAL SENSE, TOO
Important as it is, concern for the environment isn't the only reason to recycle your used transparencies. On a more practical level, recycling also helps you reduce disposal costs. And if enough people recycle, it will increase the supply of raw materials and help keep costs-and prices-down for everyone.

YOUR CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION STAYS THAT WAY
We understand that transparencies often contain confidential information. That's why we use a polyester recovery company that is sensitive to your security needs. Your confidential information is protected, and a copy of the confidentiality policy is available from the polyester recovery company.

PROJECTING A BETTER FUTURE
3M has always been committed to responsible manufacturing. None of our transparency films, for example, contain ozone-depleting chemicals. Most of our coatings are now water-based and 99% solvent-free for a cleaner, more efficient manufacturing process.

3M has also been a leader in incorporating recycled materials into our products. We're constantly researching ways to produce high-quality products with ever-higher recycled content. Our goal is to source all of our post-consumer material form recycled transparencies, reducing our dependence on new materials even further and completing the circle of recovery. Through these and other efforts at 3M, we can all work together for our environment.

IT'S EASY TO DO OUR PART
Just ship your used 3M transparencies (no paper) to our recycling partner (polyester recovery company) at the following address (be sure to clearly mark your name and organization for record keeping purposes):

3M Recycle Program
c/o Gemark
99 Stevens Lane
Exeter, PA 18643

To download a shipping label, click here.

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND
The recycling of 3M™ Transparency Film closes a loop and completes a circle of recovery. What begins as an effective presentation tool comes full circle as a recycled component in a variety of everyday items: fiber fill for chairs and carpeting, automotive products, more transparency film, insulation, and many more useful products made from polyester. So don't throw away your chance to give your transparencies new life. Close the loop and recycle them instead.

FOR BETTER PRESENTATIONS, JUST ASK THE PROFESSIONALS AT 3M
Let us help you make the most of your next presentation. We offer everything from presentation supplies to tips on more effective meetings. For late-breaking news, handy references and free product samples, call us toll-free at 1-800-328-1371 in the continental U.S. and Canada, 7:30 am to 5:30 pm (CST).

For a downloadable version of this information in .pdf format, click here.

Frequently Asked Questions about our Recycling Program