The How2Recycle labeling initiative is considering downgrading four types of plastic packaging in response to recent acceptance data, according to its latest guidance for recyclability designations.
For the U.S. market, polypropylene single-use beverage pods – such as the K-Cup coffee pods – as well as HDPE trays, HDPE thermoforms and bulky rigid plastics like HDPE and PP buckets were all flagged for review in the latest guidance, published Jan. 31. That means How2Recycle “has received and is reviewing data suggesting the potential need to upgrade or downgrade a material’s recyclability category.” Additionally, in Canada, some flexible PE packaging was flagged for review.
All four packaging types are facing potential downgrades if further review confirms the materials don’t meet acceptance criteria for their existing labels. How2Recycle publishes updated guidance twice per year, with its last update in July 2024 and the next update slated for next July. A How2Recycle spokesperson told Plastics Recycling Update it sometimes takes multiple guidance cycles to review data and make a final decision on a certain packaging type. But in the case of PP pods, the organization will make its decision by this July, the spokesperson said.
The recent guidance update is the first to use a new national dataset maintained by the initiative’s parent organization, GreenBlue, as well as The Recycling Partnership. They announced the U.S. Community Recycling Program Acceptance Data project last fall, noting it will be updated twice per year and will aim to closely track local recycling program acceptance nationwide.
Besides the potential changes, How2Recycle also reported on previous reviews that are now complete. It found no upgrades were warranted for HDPE and PP squeeze tubes, which carry a “not yet recyclable” designation, or for the “check locally” labels carried by PP beverage cups and PET beverage cups in the U.S.
Outside of the plastics space, the guidance upgraded composite canisters with steel bottoms from “not yet recyclable” to “check locally,” and it downgraded aluminum and steel aerosol cans from “widely recyclable” to “check locally.” It also found no changes needed to the “widely recyclable” designation for fiber cartons.
Acceptance data contributes to potential changes
PP pods and bulky rigid plastics are currently in the “check locally” labeling category, which requires that between 20% and 60% of Americans have access to recycling those materials. Those materials are facing downgrades to “not yet recyclable” due to the latest acceptance data, How2Recycle wrote.
The publicly-available dataset maintained by The Recycling Partnership – which How2Recycle noted is a key data source but not the only one considered in its assessment – shows PP pods carry a 3% acceptance rate in the U.S., HDPE bulky rigids carry a 13% acceptance rate, and PP bulky rigids have 10% acceptance.
For PP pods, How2Recycle noted in the guidance document that the potential downgrade comes “despite significant efforts that have been made to strengthen the end market for all PP and provide technical recyclability data for this format. While the current data shows low explicit acceptance, (The Recycling Partnership) is conducting a data review to more thoroughly distinguish format acceptance nuances for this package category. During this process, How2Recycle will not be issuing any new Check Locally recyclable labels to pods in the U.S.”
HDPE trays, thermoforms and other formats – excluding bottles, tubs and jars – are facing a downgrade from “widely recyclable,” which indicates over 60% acceptance in the U.S., to “check locally.” HDPE trays have a 54% acceptance rate, according to the dataset. Bottles, tubs and jars would retain their “widely recyclable” labeling.
In Canada, specific flexible PE packaging including stand-up pouches, metallized film, wrappers and other food packaging may be downgraded from “widely recyclable,” which in Canada indicates over 50% acceptance, to “check locally.” The potential change is “due to restricted acceptance for recycling based on package format and product application,” How2Recycle wrote. Other flexible PE such as grocery bags would retain “widely recyclable” labels.
In a statement, How2Recycle Director Karen Hagerman praised member companies for their efforts to increase material recyclability, acknowledging that labeling changes can be frustrating.
“We also empathize with the feeling of setback that comes with a downgrade,” Hagerman said. “Still, we trust that our members recognize the need for labels that reflect the realities of the recycling system today, and will use the change as an opportunity to invest in the design, infrastructure, partnerships or end markets needed to improve recyclability.”
The potential change in PP pod labeling comes as those materials are a key focus for companies such as Keurig Dr Pepper and groups including the Polypropylene Recycling Coalition, a TRP project.
Keurig switched its K-Cups from multi-material to solely PP in 2020 and recently reported reducing the amount of plastic used in each pod. But PP pod acceptance in local programs has been challenging, the company acknowledged in its latest sustainability report, even as PP in general maintains over 60% access across the U.S.
Charlie Schwarze, senior director of sustainability at Keurig Dr Pepper, told Plastics Recycling Update the existing How2Recycle labels on the company’s pods will remain unchanged. He added it’s ultimately up to communities to decide the materials they accept for recycling, as well as how to communicate their accepted materials to residents
“Throughout the data review period, we encourage the Sustainable Packaging Coalition to consider all of the different ways communities tell people what and how to recycle,” Schwarze said this week. “We will also continue to work with recyclers and communities to increase the collection and explicit acceptance of items like beverage pods, as we have over the last several years.”
