APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition
Third-party validation that a package or component’s design is compatible with the North American recycling system, providing confidence and support to package manufacturers and brands.
The Seal of Approval for Plastic Packaging Design
Since inception, the program’s review process has helped to eliminate problematic items and commercialize alternative innovations like pressure sensitive adhesives, NIR sortable black colorants, and crystallizable PET shrink sleeves. Ultimately, this makes the recycling system more efficient which means less waste, more efficient use of limited natural resources, and more high-quality PCR.
Program Snapshot
Over 15 years of recognition
Over 120 companies recognized
Millions of items designed for recycling
Why Apply for APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition?
Whether you are selling or buying recyclable packaging, APR Recognition makes the process easier.
Component & Packaging Manufacturers
- Helps you meet clients’ goals for recyclable packaging
- Provides independent validation and credibility that your item is designed for recyclability
- Rewards your investment in solving recycling challenges and replacing problematic items, by increasing visibility and credibility with customers
- Improves the supply of high-quality PCR to use in future packaging
Brand & Retailer Procurement Teams
- Saves time, effort and resources needed to identify and validate recyclable packaging
- Increases confidence and reduces risk when making recycling claims
- Makes it easier to meet the design standards of organizations like the US Plastics Pact™, The Recycling Partnership, and How2Recycle
- Helps you prepare for legislative requirements
- Improves the supply of high-quality PCR to use in your future packaging
Which APR Design® Recognition Path Is Right For Me?
Understanding the Paths to Recognition
Each of the three paths has its own test and review criteria, depending on the item being submitted. All paths lead to the same outcome: third-party recognition that an item has met the highest criteria for recyclability according to the APR Design® Guide.
Preferred Design
For components or complete packages that are listed as Preferred in the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability, and are within categories that have been approved by the APR committee.
- Must be on the List of Preferred Design Recognition Categories
- Well known by the industry
- Requires APR technical review
- May require internal or 3rd party lab testing
Timing & Cost:
- 2-6 weeks
- $4-8K (members) or $5-10K (non-members) for first three applications
Marketing Support:
- Recognition letter & certificate
- Use of branding
- Marketing toolkit
- Promotion across APR website, newsletters, social media and events
Critical Guidance
For components outside of the Preferred Design list that have achieved lab-scale testing and review, as specified in the APR Design Guide.
- Must be compatible with rigid PET; rigid HDPE; rigid PP; or flexible PE packages
- Requires 3rd party lab testing
- Requires APR Technical Review and webinar
Timing & Cost:
- 2-3 months after testing completed
- $6K (members) or $9K (non-members)
Marketing Support:
- Recognition letter & certificate
- Use of branding
- Marketing toolkit
- Promotion across APR website, newsletters, social media and events
Responsible Innovation
For components that cannot be evaluated by lab-scale testing, but have achieved alternate testing and review as specified by the APR Design Guide.
- Requires trials and testimonials from MRFs and reclaimers confirming that item does not cause problems
- Requires APR technical review and webinar
Timing & Cost:
- 2-3 months after MRF and Reclaimer tests completed
- $6K (members) or $9K (non-members)
Marketing Support:
- Recognition letter & certificate
- Use of branding
- Marketing toolkit
- Promotion across APR website, newsletters, social media and events
APR Design® Recognition Directory
Choose with confidence. APR commends this list of companies for having designed products that meet the highest criteria for recyclability according to the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability.
APR Design® Recognition FAQs
Any packaging product comprised of PET, HDPE, PP, or PE film is eligible for recognition. To receive recognition applicable products must pass any required sortation testing and not contain any feature categorized as Detrimental or Non-Recyclable.
No, each pathway is considered equal. All Recognition paths lead to the same outcome: third-party recognition that an item has met the highest criteria for recyclability according to the APR Design® Guide.
No, APR Design® Recognition is an assessment of the technical recyclability of a package or packaging component. In order to be considered “recyclable,” companies need to meet these design requirements, and also consider consumer access to recycling, acceptance of a package in the recycling stream, and the existence of end-markets for products made from the recycled plastic.
Timing varies depending on the pathway and possible testing requirements. The Preferred Design pathway will typically take between 2-6 weeks from the time payment has been received. The Critical Guidance and Responsible Innovation pathways generally take 2-3 months after testing is completed.
Costs vary depending on the program pathway, APR member status, and company size. For Critical Guidance and Responsible Innovation applications the fee is $6,000 for APR members and $9,000 for APR non-members. Preferred Design fees vary from $1,250 to $10,000. Please see the fee schedule within Appendix #2 of the operating procedures for more details.
Required testing will vary depending on the type of component and intended container substrate. For Preferred Design application, please refer to the specific application instructions provided within the submission portal. Please contact the program administrator for questions regarding required testing for Critical Guidance or Responsible Innovation applications.
Critical Guidance and Responsible Innovation recognitions expire after five years. Preferred Design recognitions expire after three years. Recipients will be contacted no later than six months in advance of the expiration of a recognition.
No, APR Design® Recognitions are unique to the applicant company. Recognitions do not transfer and are unable to be licensed. Supplier recognitions can be used as appropriate qualification for packaging construct recognitions.
No, as APR Design® Recognition is only a technical assessment, the logo is not to be used on any consumer-facing packaging. The use of the logo is allowed in Business-to-Business sales literature, advertising, and press releases when following the guidelines of use.
After receiving APR Design® Recognition, companies will receive a marketing toolkit from APR that includes logo files, promotional recommendations and language and templates to use. APR Design® Recognition provides credibility and assurances to potential clients, so we highly recommend you use this marketing toolkit for B2B communications.