APR recognizes a record number of innovations

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Washington, says a record number of innovations received APR Critical Guidance Recognition (CGR) during the Virtual Member Meeting held the week of Oct. 26. The APR says CGR is an integral component of The APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability. It is presented to companies that have developed new products and technologies that are compatible with current recycling infrastructure.

APR says it works to increase the supply, enhance the quality, expand the demand and communicate the value of recycled plastics. Its Critical Guidance is one of the world’s most widely accepted and comprehensive testing protocols to ensure new packaging products and innovations meet recycling guidelines and do not contaminate the recycling stream.

“We are pleased to see a record number of companies using APR testing to enhance the recyclability of their products,” says Steve Alexander, APR President and CEO. “The continued reach of The APR Design Guide and Critical Guidance Protocols are helping to provide global solutions to the recyclability of all plastic packaging.”

Nine companies recently completed this testing to ensure their products meet The APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability:

• Avery Dennison Corp. for labels on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) packaging;
• Berry Global Inc. for tubes that have the potential to be compatible with recycling once they are widely collected;
• CCL Label Inc. for shrink-sleeve labels;
• FLEXcon Company Inc. for pressure-sensitive film labels for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging;
• Green Bay Packaging for pressure-sensitive film labels for PET packaging;
• Kim Pack Company Ltd. for tubes that have the potential to be compatible with recycling once they are widely collected;
• MacTac North America for pressure-sensitive film labels for PET packaging;
• Multi-Color Corp for a roll-on shrink-on label for PET bottles and for labels on HDPE packaging; and
• Multi-Plastics Inc. for shrink-sleeve labels.

Additional details on the most recent innovations to receive APR Critical Guidance is available at https://plasticsrecycling.org/images/Press_Releases/APR_CGR_Innovations_October2020.pdf, while the full list of innovations that have received APR Critical Guidance to date is available at https://plasticsrecycling.org/recognition/recipients.

“The APR Critical Guidance Recognition Program, while intended to inform reclaimers and innovators about new innovations and recycling needs, quantifies key recycling issues,” says Dave Cornell, APR’s technical consultant who manages the CGR program. “The recognition provides assurance to key audiences that these new plastic products are compatible with the current stream of recycled plastics. Based on data from third parties for standard tests with marketplace-driven acceptance criteria, the program has proven valuable to innovators, reclaimers, consumer brand companies, the public and governments.”