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APR Design Hub

In a circular economy, plastic packaging and products are designed to be compatible with the recycling system, reduce contamination, and enhance the stream of post-consumer recycled content—which is then put back into new products. We call it Circular By Design®, and it all starts here.

Train with the Pros

APR firmly believes that companies want to design packaging that is recyclable and sustainable. But recycling can be complicated, and the rules are always changing. That’s why we created APR Design® Training. This live, customized session demystifies the recycling process and helps align internal teams on why and how to design for recyclability, all led by an APR executive with over 30 years of experience building and operating recycling facilities across the US.

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APR Design® Guide

Since 1994 the APR Design® Guide has helped companies measure each aspect of a package design against industry-accepted criteria to ensure that it is truly recycling compatible. By minimizing contamination from the start, good design reduces costs throughout the recycling value chain and improves productivity. It also ensures high-quality post-consumer resin (PCR) that can reduce the need for new plastic. Cited by leading organizations like the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the APR Design® Guide is widely recognized as the authority on how to design plastics packaging for recyclability in North America.

Introducing the Inaugural APR Recycling Leadership Awards!

Launched in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the APR Design® Guide, the inaugural APR Recycling Leadership Awards celebrate individuals and organizations whose outstanding achievements are improving plastics recyclability.

Get Recognized

APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition provides third-party validation that a package or packaging component’s design is compatible with the North American recycling system. This is done by confirming that the item has met the highest criteria for recyclability according to the APR Design® Guide. Complete packages and all components of package design (including labels, barrier materials, dispensers, and more) are eligible for APR Design® Recognition.

Need Testing?

Understanding the impact of a packaging design feature in the recycling stream is imperative to maintaining and improving the recycling process. To support packaging manufacturers, designers, brands and retailers, APR has developed a variety of laboratory test protocols that can be used to assess the impact of a plastic design feature or component on recycling. APR test protocols combine laboratory practices and measurements developed specifically by and for plastic recyclers with standard ASTM tests. The objective of testing is to determine the impact of a design feature on the processability of a package item as well as the ability of post-consumer resin (PCR) derived from such feedstocks to meet quality specifications for end-use applications.

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Understand Global Compliance

Due to the differences in operational recycling systems and EPR requirements among countries, harmonizing design for recyclability across the globe is a challenging endeavor. APR’s Global Compliance Catalog allows you to have all the design requirements at your fingertips, to assist in comparing and contrasting systems in different countries.

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Get Certified PCR

APR PCR Certification is a third-party assessment and verification that recycled content (plastic pellets or flake) comes from post-consumer sources. Companies choose from a selection of endorsed certification bodies to audit their process. The program helps meet legislative requirements, builds confidence with customers, promotes standardization and trust across the supply chain and stabilizes the PCR market. Whether you’re looking to get certified or trying to buy certified PCR, this program can help.

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