Press Release: APR Completes Suite of Sorting Potential Test Methods to Improve Design for Recyclability
Lab-scale testing for full scale results
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) recently announced completion of a first of its kind, multi-material 2d3d sorting potential test method, "Evaluation of the 2D/3D Sorting Potential of a Whole Article," developed through supporting funding from the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI). This completes the series of Sorting Potential Test Methods, which also includes test methods that assess how package design affects Near Infrared (NIR), Size, Metal, and Color Sortation. These test methods enable brands and their suppliers to assess how packaging performs at each step of the sortation required to make it through the full recycling process."It's important to understand that the entire sortation process is represented," added Cozart " Simply passing through the MRF is not sufficient when additional sortation steps are conducted at the reclaimer. Packages rejected at the reclaimer have undergone a long expensive route to the landfill. The sorting potential test methods identify the limiting steps in the combined sortation process and test to that."
Developed through a multi-year effort involving a wide variety of stakeholders, the APR Sorting Potential Test Methods are designed to provide consistent, repeatable results. They have undergone extensive comparisons to real-life industrial processes to ensure that the results accurately predict the average sortation process at both MRFs and reclaimers. The working group responsible for development of the latest test method consisted of MRFs, reclaimers, sorting equipment suppliers, paper and plastic converters, consultants, and statisticians.
"Proper sortation is critical to the recyclability of a package. Producers must ensure that a package design will reliably sort from other commodities at the MRF and reclaimer," said Steve Alexander, APR President & CEO. "Even if all other aspects of package design are well considered, if it cannot be successfully sorted, it won't make it through the process, and will most likely end up in the landfill."Contact:
Kara Pochiro,VP of Communications & Public Affairs
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The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is an international non-profit and the only North American organization focused exclusively on improving recycling for plastics. APR's tools & resources help companies design packaging that can be recycled, support innovations that overcome existing recycling challenges, and encourage stable and reliable markets for post-consumer recycled content. Visit plasticsrecycling.org for more information.
