A new programme launched by the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) in the US aims to promote the design of better and more easily recycled packaging. Called the Meets Preferred Guidance (MPG) Review Program, it encourages companies that manufacture packaging materials and components, as well as finished packages, to obtain an independent assessment from APR to determine if their product meets the Preferred guidance criteria laid down in the APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability. This assessment looks at the technical compatibility of a package design feature or even a complete package with today’s plastics recycling processes.
Plastic packaging complying with the design principles outlined in the Design Guide will have negligible or no impact on the quality of recycled plastics, as well as negligible or no impact on the productivity of the recycling process. Well-designed packaging of this kind helps to ensure the supply of good quality recycled plastics to the market, which in turn will contribute to the transition to a circular economy.
“Poor package design leads to contamination in the recycling stream which impacts not only the recyclers, but also the companies that manufacture packaging,” said Sandeep Kulkarni, APR’s Technical Consultant that manages APR Recognition Programs. “It reduces the quality of post-consumer recycled resin (PCR) that brands ultimately need to achieve their corporate sustainability goals.”
APR will hold a free webinar on 14 September to detail the MPG Program, as well as the other Recognition Programs that APR offers. More information is available on APR’s website.