Innovation in plastics and packaging is necessary to maintain a healthy and competitive industry. To support innovators, the APR has developed a variety of laboratory test method documents that can be used to assess the impact of a plastic design feature or component on recycling. APR test methods 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. To view APR’s test method definitions, click here.
⚠ In preparation for the release of a new and improved APR Design® Guide format anticipated in 2023, this guidance table is no longer being updated. In the interim, new design guidance is provided per the addendum below.
New guidance impacting PP packaging has been recently approved for inclusion in the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recycling. This new guidance is shown below and is available for immediate use. As of May 22, 2023 there are three sections presented: Labels; Closures, fitments, liners, and safety seals; and Additives.
| Design Feature | Recyclability Category | APR Test Methods | APR Recognized Commercially Available Options | Additional Resources |
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BASE POLYMER |
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| Postconsumer Polyolefin Content |  Preferred |
 APR Lifecycle Inventory |
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| Blends of PP and other resins with unknown effects in future uses of recovered resins |  Needs Testing Untested blends may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
PP-CG-01 |
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| Form | Needs Testing Untested forms may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
CG Recognition Letters | ||
COLOR |
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| Unpigmented (Natural) | Preferred |
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| Opaque or Translucent | Preferred |
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| Optical Brighteners |  DetrimentalWhy? |
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| Black and Dark Colors | Needs Testing Untested colors may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
SORT-S-01 SORT-B-01 |
NIR Sortation |
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DIMENSIONS (between 8 fluid ounces and 2 gallons) |
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| Items up to and greater than 7.5 liters (2 gallons) in volume (no large size boundary) | Preferred |
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| Items more 3-dimensional (round) than 2-dimensional (flat) | Preferred if approximate CASS > 20 |
SORT-B-0X(under development) | ||
| Small size boundary | Preferred if < 5 cm (2 in) in 2 dimensions |
SORT-B-02 |
Size Sortation |
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CLOSURES & CLOSURE LINERS; SAFETY SEALS |
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| Polypropylene Closures | Preferred |
MPG Recognition Letters | Meets Preferred Guidance Recognition Program Resource Document for Dispensers |
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| Closure Systems without Liners, Valves | Preferred |
CG Recognition Letters | ||
| EVA and TPE Liners | Preferred |
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| Polymers with density > 1.0 that sink in water - specifically PS, silicone, nylon, acetal, thermosets | Preferred |
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| Shrink Film Safety Sleeves that are designed to be completely removed before the package can be opened | Preferred |
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| Polyethylene or Polypropylene tamper-evident safety sleeves | Preferred |
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| PETG or PLA tamper-evident safety sleeves | Preferred |
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| Polyethylene closures | Detrimental Why? |
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| Closure liners and safety seals that are composites of AL and paper | Detrimental Why? |
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| Closures containing floating silicone polymer | Detrimental Why? |
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| PVC Closures and Tamper-evident safety sleeves | Preferred if completely removed before package can be opened |
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| Detrimental Why? |
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| Closures or lidding with metal components | Needs Testing Untested closures or liddings may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
SORT-B-03 |
Metal Sortation |
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| Shrink Film Safety Sleeves, all materials | Preferred if completely removed before package can be opened |
PP-CG-01 |
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SPRAY DISPENSERS AND PUMPS |
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| Polymers with density > 1.0 that sink in water, specifically PS, silicone, nylon, acetal, thermosets | Preferred |
Meets Preferred Guidance Recognition Program Resource Document for Dispensers |
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| Polyethylene dispensers | Detrimental Why? |
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| Valves made of silicone (density and floatability will vary) | Needs Testing Untested valves may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
PP-CG-01 |
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| Valves or springs made of metal | Needs Testing Untested valves may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
SORT-B-03 |
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BARRIER LAYERS, COATINGS, ADDITIVES |
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| "Workhorse" additives | Preferred |
CG Recognition Letters | ||
| Non-PP barrier materials | Needs Testing Untested barrier materials may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
SORT-S-01 |
CG Recognition Letters | Squeeze Tubes |
| Additive concentration causing blend to sink due to density > 1.0 | Needs Testing Untested additives may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
O-S-01 |
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| Degradable Additives | Needs Testing Untested additives may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
 APR Position Statement |
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LABELS & INKS |
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| Polypropylene or polyethylene labels | Preferred |
CG Recognition Letters | Squeeze Tubes |
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| in-Mold labels of a compatible polymer | Preferred |
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| Full bottle sleeve labels designed for sorting | Preferred |
Squeeze Tubes |
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| Paper Labels | Detrimental Why? |
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| Label Inks | Needs Testing Untested inks may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
HDPE-S-01 PP-CG-01 |
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| Metal foil, metalized, and metallic printed labels | Needs Testing Untested labels may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
SORT-B-03 SORT-S-01 |
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| Full bottle sleeve labels | Needs Testing Untested labels may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
SORT-S-01 SORT-B-01 PP-CG-01 HDPE-S-01 |
Squeeze Tubes |
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LABEL/ADHESIVE COMBINATIONS |
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| Metal Foil Labels that pass Metal Sorting Potential Test | Preferred if with adhesive that releases in wash |
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| Detrimental if with adhesive that does not release in wash Why? |
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| Polystyrene Labels | Preferred if with adhesive that releases in wash |
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| Detrimental if with adhesive that does not release in wash Why? |
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| PLA Labels | Preferred if with adhesive that releases in wash |
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 Non-Recyclable if with adhesive that does not release in wash |
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| PVC Labels | Detrimental if with adhesive that releases in wash Why? |
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| Non-Recyclable if with adhesive that does not release in wash |
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| Label/Adhesive Combinations where adhesive release and substrate float/sink behavior are not known | Needs Testing Untested label/adhesive combinations may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
O-S-01 PP-CG-01 |
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ATTACHMENTS |
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| Plastic Attachments with Density > 1.0 except PVC | Preferred |
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| Paper Attachments | Detrimental Why? |
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| PVC Attachments | Detrimental Why? |
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| Polyethylene Attachments | Detrimental Why? |
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| RFID | Detrimental Why? |
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| Non-PP Attachments | Needs Testing Untested attachments may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
O-S-01 |
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| Metal, Metalized, and Metal Containing Attachments | Needs Testing Untested attachments may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
SORT-B-03 |
Metal Sortation |
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| Welded attachments | Needs Testing Untested attachments may yield Preferred, Detrimental, or Non-Recyclable results |
O-S-01 PP-CG-01 |
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“Composite Attribute Summary Score” –CASS
The CASS is an evaluation of the sorting potential of an item based on its dimensions. The guiding principle is that rigid plastic packaging articles that are more three-dimensional (round, cylindrical, square) will sort more efficiently in today’s MRFs than those which are more two-dimensional (flat). The evaluation applies a weighting factor to each dimension length, then assigns the score based on the summation of the adjusted dimensions. Depending on the CASS, an item may be classified as “Preferred”, or it may need to be tested to determine its actual sorting potential. The CASS is intended to be used with the Evaluation of 2D/3D Sorting Potential of Articlestest method which is under development
Optical Brighteners
Optical brighteners are not removed in the recycling process and can create an unacceptable fluorescence for next uses of recycled PP. It is difficult to identify material with this negative effect until extremely late in the recycling process where a great deal of added cost has been imparted into a material of low value due to the additive.
Polyethylene closures
Since polyethylene floats in water like polypropylene it is not separated in the reclaimers float-sink tank.When blended with PP it negatively affects the impact properties and can render the material brittle.Although very small amounts of PE, such as that contributed by labels, are regularly accepted by PP reclaimers, closures and dispensers comprising a larger weight percentage of the package have a greater negative affect.
PVC Closures and Tamper-evident safety sleeves
PVC is relatively easy to remove in the float-sink tank since it sinks while the PP floats.However, the float-sink tank is imperfect and even a very small amount of PVC with the recycled PP renders large amounts of it unusable as the PVC degrades at lower temperatures than those at which PP is processed.
Polyethylene dispensers
Since polyethylene floats in water like polypropylene it is not separated in the reclaimers float-sink tank.When blended with PP it negatively affects the impact properties and can render the material brittle.Although very small amounts of PE, such as that contributed by labels, are regularly accepted by PP reclaimers, closures and dispensers comprising a larger weight percentage of the package have a greater negative affect.
Paper Labels
The PP reclamation process involves water and agitation.The paper that detaches from the container when subjected to these conditions becomes pulp, which does not sink intact but remains suspended in the liquid, adding load to the filtering and water treatment systems.Paper remaining adhered to the PP travels with the PP to the extruder where the material carbonizes and causes color defects. Even after melt filtering, the burned smell and discoloration remain with the recycled PP thereby negatively affecting its potential reuse.Non-pulping paper labels used with non-releasing adhesives compound the problem since the entire label enters the extruder.
Metal Foil Labels that pass Metal Sorting Potential Test
If small, not detected, or allowed to pass, these labels, when used with an adhesive that does not release in the wash, either cause the attached PP to sink where it is lost in the float-sink tank or pass into the extruder where they can blind melt filters.
PVC Labels
When used with an adhesive that releases in the wash, these labels sink in the float-sink tank where they are removed. But because the float-sink tank is imperfect, and even a very small amount of PVC entering the extruder causes severe quality and yield problems, this material is detrimental. Paper Attachments
The PP reclamation process involves a wash step that removes adhesives and other components.This process renders paper into a pulp which is very difficult to filter from the liquid, adding significant load to the filtering and water treatment systems.Some of the small individual paper fibers will remain with the PP and carbonize when the material is extruded, causing unacceptable quality degradation.Polyethylene Attachments
When blended with PP it negatively affects stiffness and impact properties.Although very small amounts of PE, such as that contributed by labels, are regularly accepted by PP reclaimers, some attachments comprise a larger weight percentage of the package and therefore a greater negative affect.APR Recognized Commercially Available Options
Expanded polypropylene hinged lid containers, 0.2 g/cc density
APR Recognized Commercially Available Options
SimpleCycle™ TPE valves with proper closures for PET, HDPE, and PP bottles
APR Recognized Commercially Available Options
HANA’s globally-patented ECOHELIX 100% polypropylene dispensing pumps for PET, HDPE and PP containers
APR Recognized Commercially Available Options
Plastic Ingenuity’s PP-EVOH Tray Family
Plastic Ingenuity’s Multi-Compartment PP-EVOH Tray
Undecorated PP tray without lidding, but with a sealing layer, and with 8% and less ethylene vinyl alcohol co-extruded barrier layer and maleated polypropylene tie layer and with a compatibilized regrind layer
Versalite™
APR Recognized Commercially Available Options
UPM Raflatac undecorated white PP and clear PP pressure sensitive labels with acrylic adhesive
