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APR rolls out revised film recyclability guidance
MERRIMACK NH, [October 20,2021]
Film packaging manufacturers have shown greater interest in ensuring the recyclability of their products in recent years. Newly released guidance is intended to help them.
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) published its updated and improved APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability for PE Film packaging. According to a press release, APR’s Film Reclamation Committee worked over the past year on the update, which reflects the consensus of stakeholders such as film reclaimers, converters and brand owners (APR owns Resource Recycling, Inc., publisher of Plastics Recycling Update).
“These changes are consistent with our efforts to ensure that the APR Design Guide has impact as the essential reference document that brand owners can use to meet the demands and recycling standards for the global marketplace,” Steve Alexander, president and CEO of APR, stated in the release. “With the surge of sustainability commitments by global brand owners, more detailed design guidance addresses an urgent need.”
The revised guidance addresses the use of copolymers; additives and barrier layers; inks, primers, coatings and laminating adhesives; and more.
In the release, Sandi Childs, APR’s director of films and flexible packaging, noted that PE film and flexible packaging is a fast-growing packaging type.
“The ability to measure compatibility with recycling is vital to keeping a clean stream of materials flowing to recyclers from retail store drop-off bins and potentially from residential curbside collection in the future,” she stated.
Independent plastics recycling lab Plastics Forming Enterprises (PFE) most often serves as the recyclability testing contractor for brand owners that ultimately achieve APR recyclability recognition. In a recent interview, PFE President Kristi Hansen said her company has seen a particular increase in film innovations of late.
Link to article from Plastics Recycling update:
https://resource-recycling.com/plastics/2021/10/20/apr-rolls-out-revised-film-recyclability-guidance/
About Plastics Forming Enterprises
Plastics Forming Enterprises, LLC was founded in 1984 and has played an instrumental role in advancing the recycling industry in North America, and beyond. PFE has consulted on the development of some of the world’s largest and most innovative PET recycling facilities, associated with over 70% of the U.S. PET processing capacity during the industry’s early growth. PFE has worked with hundreds of clients across the value chain, ranging from resin manufacturers, material converters, recyclers, brand owners and trade groups to ensure products create value in the recycling system. In addition to driving innovation in PET recycling, PFE offers similar expertise for all commodity resins, in both rigid and flexible packaging. From supporting the development of testing protocol to demonstrating recyclability and consulting on design for recycling, PFE has had a hand in furthering the recyclability of a significant number of products utilizing the PFE plastics recycling pilot process facility and supporting testing laboratory.