Not really all that useful, or recyclable

The well-known recycling symbol was created in 1970 by a US graphic designer, Gary Anderson. Since its creation it has been in the public domain and is now used all over the world.

Recycling Symbol
(Source: http://www.recycling.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/recycling-symbol-icon-outline-black.png)

I recently received an order from LEGO and the empty space in the box was filled with this inflatable packing material.

Sealed Air's "Fill-Air Extreme"

Now the packaging has the recycling logo on it, but inside the logo, where you usually find a number to indicate the type of material, you find the phrase "Store Drop-Off".

Sealed Air's "Fill-Air Extreme" (Detail)

This means that the manufacturer does not identify the material used, and household recycling schemes will not accept it. So, the consumer must take it to a store and hope that the store accepts this particular packing material.

If you go to the website how2recycle.com you are redirected to https://www.plasticfilmrecycling.org, a site that is produced by the American Chemistry Council.

So, on the face of it the industry is making this easily recyclable, but in reality a few of the firms involved in the process have a vested interest in increasing the amount of plastic film used. More plastic equals more sales. Or am I just being a cynic. 

The "Flexible Film Recycling Group of the American Chemistry Council" states that its goal is to double recycling of polyethylene (PE) film to two billion pounds by 2020. I have two observations. 

1. That is a hell of a lot of plastic film. 6 pounds per person in the USA. 
2. That is a rather audacious goal. 

If the intent is to reduce the amount of plastic film that goes into the garbage, then making it easier to include film in municipal recycling programs would be a good start. And perhaps instead of increasing the amount recycling, industry could also focus on reducing the amount used.