APR Press Release: New Guide Outlines Design Impacts Related to Foodservice Plastics Recyclability
New Guide Outlines Design Impacts Related to Foodservice Plastics Recyclability
“Design Guide for Foodservice Plastics Recyclability” addresses components related to foodservice packaging and the impact of recyclability
Falls Church, Va. >>> March 3, 2020
The Foodservice Packaging Institute (FPI), in collaboration with the Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR), released a brand-new guide designed to provide education and resources on the recycling process, packaging formats, and the components that impact recyclability related to foodservice packaging.
The “Design Guide for Foodservice Plastics Recyclability” is intended to provide support to the foodservice packaging supply chain — particularly raw material suppliers, packaging manufacturers and foodservice operators — who are making decisions related to packaging design and factors impacting the recyclability of these materials.
Developed by FPI and APR, the guide adapts the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability to specifically address foodservice packaging and other plastic foodservice items. The guide features:
- General overview of the recycling process including the sorting, separation, reprocessing and end use of these plastic materials.
- Guidance for foodservice packaging related to color, density, resin identification code and dimensions.
- Design guide recyclability checklist broken out by resin type including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Polylactic Acid (PLA).
The two associations have partnered for several years to advance the recycling of plastic foodservice packaging. This guide addresses plastic foodservice packaging and other items entering postconsumer collection and recycling systems most widely used in North America.
“Ensuring that more foodservice packaging is recycled is a complex challenge. It requires that we collaborate with industry leaders and support those along the supply chain to increase the ability to recycle these materials,” said Natha Dempsey, President of FPI. “This guide will help by providing insight into the recycling process and how it impacts overall recyclability.”
“APR is pleased to collaborate with FPI to ensure that more packaging is designed to be fully compatible with today’s recycling systems in North America,” commented Steve Alexander, President & CEO of APR. “Poor package design leads to contamination in the recycling stream which impacts not only the recyclers, but also the brands creating the packaging. It reduces the quality of PCR that brands ultimately need to achieve their corporate sustainability goals.”
For more information and to download the design guide, please visit https://plasticsrecycling.org/apr-design-guide/apr-design-guide-home or https://www.recyclefsp.org/foodservicemainpage.
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ABOUT FPI: Founded in 1933, the Foodservice Packaging Institute is the trade association for the foodservice packaging industry in North America. FPI promotes the value and benefits of foodservice packaging and serves as the industry’s leading authority to educate and influence stakeholders. Members include raw material and machinery suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and purchasers of foodservice packaging. For more information or to follow us on social media, visit www.FPI.org.
ABOUT APR: 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 works to enhance quality and increase supply through technical resources, testing programs, design solutions, corporate training, regulatory leadership and education programs.
