APR Press Release: APR Continues Expansion of Meets Preferred Guidance Program
Labels, inks, closures, base resins for PET and HDPE packaging now eligible for recognition
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) recently announced new packaging components eligible for the Meets Preferred Guidance (MPG) Program, which recognizes products that are considered Preferred according to the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability. The program now includes the following candidate packaging components:
Closures and Dispensers
- All plastic dispensers for use with PET, HDPE, and PP containers
- Closures, Fitments, Liners, and Safety Seals for PET Containers
- Closures, Fitments, and Liners for HDPE Containers
Labels
- Complete Label Constructions for PET and color HDPE Packaging
- Direct Print for PET and color HDPE Packaging
- Label Substrates and Inks on PET Packaging
Colorants
- NIR detectable dark color concentrates for HDPE and PP packaging
Base Resins
- PET
- HDPE
The APR is pleased to welcome Ruben Nance, formerly a Senior Sustainability Engineer at Dart Container Corporation, as the new MPG Program Director. "I look forward to utilizing my cross functional experience in plastics packaging, polymer science, product stewardship, and reclamation technologies to manage the execution and growth of the MPG Program," stated Nance. "I am honored to be spearheading this impactful program and joining the APR team to improve the recyclability of plastic packaging."
The APR Design® Recognition Program celebrates and showcases innovations in packaging design. MPG and Critical Guidance Recognition (CGR) are APR's flagship Recognition programs. For over 20 years, the CGR Program has recognized significant new technologies or package components that solve long-standing problems in sustainable package design. The recycling compatibility of these leading edge innovations is verified through rigorous APR test protocols performed by an independent third-party testing laboratory.
The MPG Program was more recently developed to recognize packaging that meet the APR Design® Guide Preferred criteria for circularity. Full Critical Guidance testing is not required for package designs that use standard materials, components, and complete packages that are considered Preferred. APR verifies the recycling compatibility of these standard items through a more expedited review process.
"We are pleased to announce the continued expansion of the MPG Program, and commend the companies that step up to the plate to develop packaging that is designed for recyclability," said Steve Alexander, President & CEO of APR. "We look forward to recognizing many more companies that demonstrate their commitment to improving and expanding plastics recycling."
Visit the APR website for more information about the Meets Preferred Guidance Program, as well as other APR Recognition Programs, and register for this educational webinar: Continued Expansion of APR's MPG Recognition Program: Creating packaging that is Circular by Design™
Contact: Kara Pochiro,
APR Communications Director
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The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is The Voice of Plastics Recycling®. As the international trade association representing the plastics recycling industry, membership includes independent recycling companies of all sizes, processing numerous resins, as well as consumer product companies, equipment manufacturers, testing laboratories, organizations, and others committed to the success of plastics recycling. APR advocates the recycling of all plastics. Visit www.PlasticsRecyling.org for more information.
