The Consumer Brands Association is bringing together a mix of associations and companies to rethink how the U.S. recycles its garbage.

The Recycling Leadership Council will consist of representatives from consumer-facing industries, packaging companies and the recycling ecosystem, CBA said in a statement. The goal of the council is to develop a framework to bring consistency in the nation's recycling system and guide advocacy at the federal, state and local level. (CBA was until recently the Grocery Manufacturers Association.)

"The United States is facing a packaging and plastic waste crisis greatly exacerbated by nearly 10,000 unique recycling systems," CBA CEO Geoff Freeman said. "The lack of consistency in America's approach to recycling creates massive consumer confusion and fails to capitalize on the extraordinary advances that have been made in recyclable packaging. It is time for a drastically different approach, and we are proud to convene these critical stakeholders to develop a sound, scalable recycling policy platform."

Initial members of the group include the American Beverage Association, Consumer Technology Association, Distilled Spirits Council, Household & Commercial Products Association and Food Marketing Institute, among others. In the coming months, the council will host regional roundtables across the country and bring together stakeholders to discuss best practices in the recycling industry action, technological innovation and public-private partnerships.