APR represents more than 90% of the post-consumer plastics recycling (PCR) capacity in North America. Its diverse group of members include purchasers, recyclers and reclaimers of collected plastic bottles. APR has emerged as a leading partner of many in the industry to help promote sustainable initiatives, which will ultimately lead to a lower carbon footprint. The Association conducts independent research and releases reports on their findings.
APR’s mission involves dramatically increasing the volume of plastic that can be recycled back into marketable. This will allow the plastics recycling industry to grow and be sustainable. A number of factors must take place, though. For example, the quality of the recycling stream should be protected. Plus, it is critical to keep contaminants out of the materials destined for reprocessing.
“This program promotes the critical link between the reclaimer actually making PCR and the customer wanting to use PCR,” explains Greg Janson, Granite Peak Plastics, and co-chair of APR’s PCR Certification sub-committee. “The program will undoubtably enhance the brand equity of PCR in the marketplace, helping to ensure that PCR receives the value it deserves.”
What is APR certification?
In order to promote compliance, APR has endorsed third-party companies to conduct certifications. Reclaimers subsequently hire these companies to conduct certifications, and APR then promotes a listing of certified PCR available from reclaimers who are APR members.
To get started with APR PCR certification, an interested party must first contact one of APR’s endorsed certifiers to schedule an audit. There are other questions to be asked in the initial phases.
To support and grow the use of postconsumer recycled plastics, certification of postconsumer resins (PCR) must be viewed as reliable, consistent, and accessible by both producers and users of recycled plastic resins. According to APR, it agrees with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)’s view that the value of a certification is the degree of confidence and trust that is established by an impartial and competent demonstration of fulfilment of specified requirements by the third party.
As part of the APR PCR Certification program, APR has established a process for endorsement of companies who provide third-party certification of PCR using the definition in ISO 14021:2016.
APR also provides troubleshooting resources to help interested companies find the correct information regarding certification and getting started.
In addition, the following are APR-endorsed certifying bodies:
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AM Testing & Services -
Green Circle Certified, LLC -
SCS Global Services -
UL
How APR’s membership model boosts label companies?
Label companies are significant contributors of waste. By partnering with APR, member companies are committed to the success of plastics recycling. Membership spans the entire industry and through their participation APR member companies are shaping the future of our industry.
Members include, but are not limited to, label and ink manufacturers, label converters, chemical recyclers, brand owners, film and flexible packaging manufacturers, and more.
Becoming a member allows label companies to find tangible solutions to problems affecting their company. Members also enjoy access to APR staff’s expertise and connections, gain insight on industry trends and forecasts, receive the tools to meet their sustainability goals, and directly participate in discussions that set APR’s agenda.
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.
For more information on becoming a member, click here.
Why sustainability certification matters?
From brands to consumers, the global issue of waste is an important one. Currently, society is using more resources than the Earth possesses. This can be illustrated by Earth Overshoot Day, which marks the date when humanity has used all the biological resources that Earth regenerates during the entire year.
While individuals strive to make changes, the greatest potential for noticeable impact lies with governments and large-scale businesses, who align their policies and strategies with realization that the world’s resources are finite.
Label and package printers have a direct relationship to the waste that is produced on a daily basis. Seeing how label materials turn into waste, those in our industry can serve as advocates for plastics recycling through federal and state/provincial policy. And, of course, the issue of reducing waste and increasing recyclability is a collaborative effort.
APR certification has been successful, too. APR recently announced that its program designed to drive market demand for recycled plastics generated 138.7 million pounds of new demand for postconsumer resin (PCR) in 2021.
“The need for continued and growing demand for postconsumer recycled content is essential to the success of plastics recycling, and a key focus for APR,” said Steve Alexander, President & CEO of APR. “Although we most certainly need more feedstock to achieve real growth, we must recognize the wide range of applications for recycled plastics including durable, non-food items, which are what this program was built on from the beginning.”
Another APR goal is education, as confusion abounds in the recycling space. Key audiences for education include state and local recycling officials, MRF operators, legislators, and others across the plastics recycling value chain.
What are the APR Guidelines?
Determining a plastic package or item’s recyclability goes beyond whether a specific municipal program collects it, or whether it’s made from a particular plastic resin. APR’s Design Guide helps package designers measure each aspect of a package design against industry accepted criteria to ensure that it is truly recycling compatible.
The APR Design Guide addresses design features or components commonly used with plastic packaging applications. 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 in the News
Numerous label industry suppliers have been open about their certification status.
Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials has announced its MDO and PE films have been recognized to comply with the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) Critical Guidance for HDPE recycling, and the company’s BOPP and MDO films have been recognized to comply with APR Critical Guidance for Flexible PE recycling.
Following the earlier APR recognition of the Avery Dennison BOPP portfolio, the company becomes the first label manufacturer to offer a complete range of film solutions for brands and converters seeking to enhance the recyclability of rigid HDPE and the first to offer APR recognized films for flexible PE plastics.
“Recyclability of e-commerce packaging has become a significant issue for consumers,” says Tina Hart, vice president, strategic innovation. “This recognition helps companies address that challenge with recyclable labeling options for products being shipped in flexible PE packaging.”
UPM Raflatac also recently received APR recognition with printed PP labels in the PET recycling process with UV Flexo inks and varnish.
“We are excited to be recognized for our continued commitment to circular economy. The recognition of our BOPP Pressure Sensitive labels with RW85C for PET bottles for use with an APR approved Ink System further provides a full solution to Brand owners,” stated Gabrielle Whittaker, Director, Films and Specials SBU, UPM Raflatac, Americas.