The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) recently expanded and updated the APR Global Design Catalog, a comprehensive resource to access the most current plastic packaging recyclability guidelines for countries and regions around the world.
Different countries and regions operate a variety of recycling collection and processing systems. Many of them oversee complex Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs that hold manufacturers and suppliers accountable for the end-of-life fate of packaging materials. EPR programs in virtually all jurisdictions reference a local design for recyclability index to encourage companies to design more sustainable packaging.
APR's catalogue saves time and resources for brands and packaging suppliers without global counterparts looking to comply with varying global standards. For those companies with global teams, the catalogue is a quick reference guide to stay up to date with global standards and facilitate more meaningful discussions with international counterparts.
"Package producers worldwide rely on the APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability and the APR Global Design Catalog to create recyclable packaging," stated Steve Alexander, APR president and CEO. "Although the principles of recyclable package design are universal, recycling infrastructure, packaging trends, culture, and attitudes toward resource management vary regionally, even within each country,"
The APR Global Design Catalog offers consolidated, easy access to regularly updated design for recyclability requirements for countries and regions around the world including Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, Netherlands, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, the United Kingdom, as well as the United States, with the recent additions of Chile and Italy. It covers recyclability criteria evaluations through an extensive list of design features for rigid PET, rigid HDPE, rigid PP, and flexible PE film packaging. On-pack labelling guidance has been added as a new parameter being tracked for all countries.
"Recycling, along with reduction and reuse, are essential to tackling plastic waste and pollution," continued Alexander. "APR is pleased to provide this comprehensive resource with access to the most current plastic packaging recyclability guidelines across the globe."
The catalogue is a resource for all APR members. Non-members can subscribe to the guidance for an annual subscription fee.
