Anchor Packaging joins Cyclyx consortium

Postuse plastic innovation company Cyclyx International, based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has announced that Anchor Packaging, a St. Louis-based designer and manufacturer of rigid food containers and all-purpose foodservice cling film with global reach, has joined the Cyclyx consortium.

“Partnering with Cyclyx was an easy decision because their mission and extensive experience enable us to accelerate our work in advancing foodservice sustainability,” says Richard Daniels, executive vice president of marketing and custom products. “Anchor Packaging values our role in this work.

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“While packaging’s carbon footprint is just a small fraction of the meal itself, in many cases less than 1 percent, it is uniquely positioned to provide an outsized benefit by protecting food quality to prevent food waste,” he continues. “Improving the recovery of valuable, recyclable food-grade materials only adds to the positive impact packaging provides.”

Known as one of the largest thermoformers in North America, Cyclyx says Anchor has built a long history of success on performance and innovation. Now in its 61st year, Anchor manufactures using only high-performance materials capable of providing superior food protection to reduce food waste. With an aim to reduce packaging waste, the company says it focuses production on the use of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Today, Anchor says it recaptures nearly all materials used in production, generating less than half of 1 percent of waste. In 2021, the company launched “Drive for 5” to create new pathways for collecting No. 5 PP, a widely used packaging material.

Anchor and Cyclyx say their collaboration aims to further build recycling pathways and transform what is possible for recycling food-grade plastic. Cyclyx looks to amplify Anchor’s postconsumer Drive for 5 collection efforts by helping it reach a wider audience across the value chain and secure higher volumes of No. 5 PP material.

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Similarly, Anchor says it is excited to support the existing Cyclyx 10to90 landfill diversion programs and actively engage in initiating new pilots. The insights from these initiatives will be instrumental as Anchor and Cyclyx design new programs to increase the recovery of valuable postconsumer material.

“It’s an honor to have Anchor Packaging join our Cyclyx consortium,” Cyclyx Vice President of New Markets Group Ron Sherga says. “They value working collaboratively with others to deliver superior products. Their willingness to support Cyclyx and our 10to90 mission displays their commitment to advancing their sustainability goals.”