APR Testing Protocols
APR provides a library of peer-reviewed, technically rigorous test protocols that are used to evaluate and determine package design features with an unknown impact on recyclability.
APR Defined Testing Protocols
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.
APR Testing Protocol Categories
APR’s Testing Protocol Library offers diverse categories of test protocols and documents from basic screening tests to complex Critical Guidance tests.
Standard laboratory practices recommended to prepare an innovation for use in tests that evaluate their compatibility with commercial recycling processes.
Supplemental information defining specific process steps and criteria within the recycling process. These documents help determine if additional testing of an innovation or packaging components is needed.
Screening test to determine likelihood of innovation or packaging components passing further testing required to obtain APR Recognitions. These tests are less complicated and increase the level of confidence in the ability for innovation or package to pass Single Purpose, Benchmark or Critical Guidance testing.
Testing to evaluate a single aspect of an innovation or a package component on recycling. These tests provide confirmation that an innovation/packaging component can pass a specific process step within the recycling process without negative impacts.
Testing that involves a combination of multiple Single Purpose tests to evaluate impact of innovations or packaging components on the recycling process. These tests provide confirmation that an innovation/packaging component can pass all the critical process steps within the recycling process without negative impacts. Benchmark testing allows for a truncated version of Critical Guidance testing based on the known impact of the Design Feature category within the recycling process.
A comprehensive recycling evaluation following Critical Guidance testing required when the innovation has an unknown effect on the production of bottles or films.
Testing involves a combination of multiple Single Purpose and/or Benchmark tests to confirm that an innovation is fully compatible with the recycling process. These tests provide confirmation that an innovation/packaging can pass all of the process steps within the recycling process without negative impacts. Critical Guidance is typically used for new innovations where impact of the Design Feature category within the recycling process is unknown.
APR Testing Protocol Library
FPE-P-00
PE Film Standard Laboratory Processing Practices
FPE-CG-01
Critical Guidance Protocol for PE Film and Flexible Packaging
FPE-B-01
Benchmark Polyethylene(PE) Films and Flexible Packaging Innovation Test Protocol
RES-O-01
Squeeze Tubes Resource
PP-B-01
PP Benchmark Test
PP-CG-01
Critical Guidance Protocol for PP Rigid Containers
O-S-01
Polyolefin Packaging Articles Sink or Float Evaluation
O-P-00
Polyolefin Standard Laboratory Processing Practices
RES-HDPE-01
Melt Flow Calc HDPE Blends
HDPE-S-01
Natural HDPE Flake Washing Test