APR updates recyclability guidance to align with RecyClass

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), Washington, recently announced updates to its APR Design Guide for Plastic Recyclability to align with RecyClass, a Belgium-based nonprofit initiative focused on advancing plastics circularity. The Design Guide will now state that 6 percent of EVOH is allowed for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers.

“Because the recycling process is very similar in both geographies, packaging will likely be processed similarly,” APR Chief Operating Officer Curt Cozart says. “Although some differences exist, APR Design Guidance is nearly the same as RecyClass. The APR Design Guide previously allowed for 5 percent ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) in HDPE containers but will update to 6 percent to align with RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines.”

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Through their respective technical committees, the organizations say they are accelerating global alignment of recyclability principles. In these groups, they say scientific data, gathered based on standardized testing protocols, is shared and serves as the base for discussions on uncovering the complexities of plastic packaging.

In addition to guidance on the use of EVOH in HDPE containers, guidance on the use of EVOH in polypropylene (PP) containers also have been streamlined through this collaboration, the organizations say.

“To achieve a truly circular future for plastics, harmonization is essential,” RecyClass Chairman Paolo Glerean says. “The real value of the collaboration between APR and RecyClass is evident in these latest recommendations, providing clearer guidance to the plastics industry globally. These joint efforts will allow the plastic packaging value chain to standardize their products on a larger scale and make the path towards the circular use of plastics more cost effective.”

This activity is part of a continued effort by APR and RecyClass to reinforce their collaboration to drive worldwide harmonization of recyclability for all plastic packaging types, the organizations say, through a shared vision of science-based design for recycling guidelines and protocols for recyclability assessments.

APR and RecyClass say their partnership will drive a unified, fact-based approach to recyclability and bring clarity to the whole value chain. They add that these harmonization efforts take into consideration the variations in recycling capabilities and infrastructure between the two regions.