APR Recyclability Categories

The APR Design® Guide views a package as a compilation of design features.

Design features that are commonly used with plastic packaging applications include:

• Base resin
• Color
• Size and dimensions
• Closures and dispensers
• Barrier Layers, coatings, and additives
• Labels, adhesives, and ink
• Attachments

Each design feature is classified into a recyclability category.

The APR Design® Guide classifies the recycling impact of each design feature into four Recyclability Categories. APR’s guidance on the design feature is developed by consensus of the APR’s Technical Committees, made up of experts from all parts of the recycling value chain, and reflects both hands-on experience and test data.

The APR Recyclability Categories consider the impact of design features on the value as feedstock of a package, the productivity of the reclaimers, and the quality of the final post-consumer resin (PCR) or finished product application.

• APR DESIGN® PREFERRED:
  Features readily accepted by MRFs and recyclers since the majority of the industry has the capability to identify, sort, and process a package exhibiting this feature with minimal, or no, negative effect on the productivity of the operation or final product quality. Packages with these features are likely to pass through the recycling process into the most appropriate material stream with the potential of producing high quality material.

A package that contains all preferred design features is an APR Preferred Design for Recycling.

• DETRIMENTAL TO RECYCLING:
  Features that present known technical challenges for the MRF or recycler’s yield, productivity or final product quality, but are grudgingly tolerated and accepted by the majority of MRFs and recyclers. A plastic item may be considered Recyclable with Detrimental features with the understanding that package manufacturers should use the detailed guidance provided by APR to change their design and achieve Preferred status.>
  

A package that contains ANY detrimental design feature is Tolerated but Needs Improvement, so long as it does not contain any other features that render the package non-recyclable or require testing.

• RENDERS THE PACKAGE NON-RECYCLABLE:
  The majority of MRFs or reclaimers cannot remove these features to the degree required to generate a marketable end product, or the package cannot be captured at a majority of MRFs or reclaimers due to typical machinery settings or equipment capabilities. Ultimately, a package exhibiting this design feature will be completely discarded even if it has other Preferred features.

A package that contains ANY design feature that renders the package non-recyclable is Non-Recyclable.

• REQUIRES TESTING:
  In order to determine a recyclability category, testing per an APR testing protocol is required. APR provides a library of peer-reviewed, technically rigorous test methods that should be used to evaluate package design features with an unknown impact on recyclability. APR’s tests are designed to encourage companies to strive for Preferred.

The recyclability of a package that contains ANY design feature that requires testing is Unknown, provided that the package does not have other design features that are known to be detrimental or recycling or that render the package non-recyclable.

Design features drive the whole package assessment.

Design features are classified according to the APR Recyclability Categories or test results where testing is required. All features of package design must be accounted for to understand how a whole package will perform in the recycling system.