APR Committee Work

The Films Technical Committee works to boost film recovery and markets by:

• Verifying and expanding APR’s Design® Guidance for flexible film packaging by publishing guidance test protocols, encouraging APR members to test and verify design guidance, and urging film packaging designers and manufacturers to use these tests to determine recycling compatibility
• Ensuring that APR’s existing technical tools, such as the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability and bale specifications, are current with regard to film recycling, adaptable to changes in collection schemes and end markets, and easily accessible
• Participating in partnerships that expand retail PE film collection
• Leveraging partnerships with the US Plastics Pact, The Recycling Partnership, and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) to advance message of film recyclability

The Olefins Technical Committee develops and maintains the following for rigid olefin packaging through working group projects, technical studies, and educational materials:

• Verifying and expanding APR’s Design® Guidance for rigid polyolefin-based packaging by developing and publishing guidance test protocols, encouraging APR members to test and verify design guidance, and urging packaging designers and manufacturers to use these tests to determine recycling compatibility
• Ensuring that APR’s existing technical tools, such as the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability and bale specifications, are current with regard to rigid polyolefin recycling, adaptable to changes in collection schemes and end markets, and easily accessible
• Expand APR Design® Recognition criteria to enable packaging designers, producers, and purchasing agents to ensure their products meet the highest criteria for recyclability according to the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability
• Review and evolve APR model bale specifications based on changes in the MRF stream, sortation technology, markets, and packaging design

The PET Technical Committee is responsible for:

• Maintaining the section of the APR Design® Guide that speaks to rigid PET packaging. This scope includes injection stretch blow molded containers, extrusion blow molded containers, and thermoformed packages.
• Providing continuous improvement to existing test methods as well as developing new test methods that evaluate the compatibility of PET packaging with today’s industrial recycling processes. Test method development supports APR’s Design® Recognition Program.
• Developing educational materials impacting PET recycling.
• Sponsoring work groups that engage stakeholders in the PET recycling value chain in developing new content for the APR Design® Guide

The mission of the APR Communication & Public Affairs Committee is to support APR as The Voice of Plastics Recycling® with a commitment to the ultimate goal of increasing quality supply and demand through communication, education, and policy. The committee provides valuable feedback and insight into the development of:

• Educational webinars and podcasts
• Marketing materials and messaging tools
• Media relations with support from an established strategic communications firm
• Legislative activity across the states and in Washington, DC

The Market Development Committee (MDC) developed out of the former Olefin Rigids Committee and works to:

1. Promote understanding of post-consumer resin (PCR) market differences in terms of MRF sortation, resin, processing technology, or material form throughout the value chain from collection to recycled resin markets
2. Support post-consumer recycled resin end markets and help level the playing field with respect to low-cost virgin and off-spec resins through:
   • Voluntary PCR usage through the APR Demand Champions program
   • Education around PCR usage and potential content applications
   • Monitoring and support of mandatory PCR content requirements
   • Development of model PCR rates for packaging (including secondary and tertiary) and durable goods