A revised guide released by the Association of Plastic Recyclers represents the industry’s latest attempt to educate packaging designers on the realities of recyclability.
“Many times, both recyclers and product manufacturers often do not realize the implications of new products, until they have been brought to market, made it through the collection process, and contaminate the recycling stream,” Steve Alexander, APR’s executive director, stated in a press release.
With contamination continuing to wreak havoc in the recycling industry at large, APR’s updated Design Guide for Recyclability is aimed at serving as an educational tool for product manufacturers.
Scott Saunders, general manager of KW Plastics Recycling Division and APR chairman, stated the guide “more accurately reflect today’s North American plastics recycling infrastructure.”
APR worked extensively on the new iteration of its guide last year. Released this week at the group’s June Membership Meeting in San Antonio, the guide provides a rundown of individual resin categories as well as important design factors to consider, including the use of different colors and labels.
The lack of communication between the recycling industry and product designers has become a well-documented challenge in increasing plastics recovery, John Standish, APR’s technical director noted in the press release.
“If products are designed with recyclability in mind, it allows the plastics recycling industry to help consumer brand companies meet their sustainability goals while boosting supply and enhancing the quality of the plastics recycling stream,” Standish stated.
