The recent announcement from the U.S. Plastics Pact that its member companies will phase out "problematic" plastics like polystyrene and vinyl in packaging by 2025 may have seemed like a lightning bolt. The pact and its members, which collectively make or use one-third of the plastics packaging in the U.S. market, announced a voluntary plan Jan. 25...
Not only have UPM Raflatac optimized its materials for performance on-shelf, the company has prioritized sustainability. Those endeavors have been recognized, too. UPM Raflatac recently received APR (Association of Plastic Recyclers) recognition for printed PP labels in the PET recycling process with UV flexo inks and varnish.Read the full article ...
Brook + Whittle was founded in 1995 as a venture between partners in the commercial printing and prepress industry. The company that initially opened its doors in North Branford, CT, has blossomed into one of North America's most prominent label converters. As part of its vision for a more sustainable future, Brook + Whittle participates in i...
The U.S. Plastics Pact says polystyrene and PVC packaging, opaque PET, problematic labels, and other materials should be phased out in coming years. A MRF operator called the anticipated elimination of PVC and PS packaging "two really big steps in the right direction." The U.S. Plastics Pact's list of "problematic and unnecessary materials," publis...
A recent webinar brought together experts to cover the benefits and complications of recycled-content mandates. Mark Murray of Californians Against Waste, Steve Alexander of the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) and David Allaway of the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality presented during the webinar, which was hosted by the Northeast R...
It has been estimated that each year, more than 100 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States. That equates to more than $160 billion worth of food thrown away each year. At the same time, in many parts of the United States, there is a crisis caused by people having limited access to healthy & affordable food options. The waste of f...
As consumers' appetite for recycled polyester products grows, the industry is facing an unintended consequence: There may not be enough plastic available for recycling to meet the demand. An executive at recycled fiber producer SAYA explains why a lack of RPET supply poses a challenge for his industry, and he proposes steps to help address the supp...
Little Rock, Arkansas-based Revolution has received a letter of no objection (LNO) from the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the company's proprietary recycling method for linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), allowing the postconsumer resin (PCR) to be used in food-contact applications. Revolution's PCR can be used at content levels u...
PC Packaging, a women-owned and rapidly growing beauty packaging solutions provider with a focus on sustainability and innovation is pleased to announce our membership with the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR). APR is an international trade association representing the plastics recycling industry. Members of APR are shaping the future of our...
The Sustainability Consortium (TSC), alongside P&G, Burt's Bees, Colgate-Palmolive, GSK, Sustainable Packaging Coalition, The Recycling Partnership, Balcones Resources, University of Arkansas, and Arizona State University have formed a new coalition to accelerate progress on creating resources to recycle small format packaging and other materia...
Speakers at a NERC and NEWMOA webinar analyze the impact of recycled-content mandates and how they facilitate a circular economy. Since California became the first state in the U.S. to require minimum postconsumer resin (PCR) content in plastic bottles with Assembly Bill 793, signed into law in October 2020, much has been discussed about the benefi...
There is more innovation in plastics recycling currently than for any other material. The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has formed a new working group focused on identifying the key steps needed for chemical recycling processes to play an effective role in global efforts to increase the recycling of plastics. Specifically, the APR Chemical...
Food waste in the United States has wide-reaching negative ramifications—on climate, health, and food security. The meal kit industry is worth around $1.5 billion. To keep up with the changing tide of consumerism, meal kit companies are offering healthy, customizable, and delivered-to-your-doorstep options, putting them on course to grow anot...
Over the year, NothingWasted! talked with some of the top waste, recycling and sustainability experts. Listen to some wisdom from their top 9 of most popular episodes throughout the year. Top Podcast Guests include Steve Alexander, president of The Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR). Listen at Waste360.
Elegant solution applies specialty ink to shrink-sleeve labels for seamless separation by existing magnetics during packaging recycling sortation. Read the full article from Plastics Today.
The Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR), Washington, has announced the first companies to receive Meets Preferred Guidance (MPG) recognition, a program it launched in August. The MPG program recognizes materials, components and complete packages made with polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP) and...
Creating a circular economy for recycled plastics The Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) today announced the first companies to receive Meets Preferred Guidance (MPG) Recognition. Launched in August of this year, the MPG program recognizes materials, components, and complete packages composed of PET, HDPE, PP, and PE film that are considered P...
One of the world's largest packaging producers boosted its purchases of post-consumer resin by about 30% last year. Switzerland-headquartered Amcor purchased 104,523 metric tons of post-consumer resin (PCR) during its 2021 fiscal year, up 86% from the 2019 fiscal year and 30% from the 2020 fiscal year, according to the company's recently released s...
A BILLION toothpaste tubes. That's a lot of toothpaste tubes that would be recyclable by 2025, a commitment made by GSK Consumer Healthcare to lessen the plastic burden by 2025. The world's leading consumer healthcare business announced in mid-May that it is partnering with two global packaging suppliers to make fully recyclable tubes for its tooth...
Iconic Heinz Ketchup recently received a valve closure makeover. An APR Recognized valve system, the recyclable SimpliCycle from Aptar Food and Beverage, will be found in several Kraft Heinz brands by the end of the year. Read the full article from Packaging World.
