(VIDEO) Updated APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability digital tool enhances user experience
Updated Association of Plastic Recyclers digital tool and website will give more accurate, up-to-date information about recyclable plastic packaging requirements
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has launched the updated APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability digital tool to commemorate the association's 30th anniversary. The APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability is an authoritative resource on recyclable plastics packaging design, helping companies measure each aspect of a package design against industry-accepted criteria to ensure that it is truly compatible with the recycling system.
"We are proud to commemorate 30 years of The APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability," says Steve Alexander, APR president and CEO. "With Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Mandated PCR legislation taking effect across the U.S., continued negotiations towards a global plastics treaty, as well as PCR and sustainability commitments coming due on the near horizon, this new and improved digital tool could not have launched at a more important time."
Updates improve user experience, ease of navigation, and guidance
Enhanced user experience, along with new capabilities and features, are designed to expand the reach and impact of this tool. Key updates and improvements include:
- Upgraded platform with simplified, user-friendly navigation.
- Filters to quickly locate specific design guidance.
- Customizable views providing simple summaries with options to expand for more technical detail.
- Embedded, contextually relevant links to recommended next steps such as APR design recognized solutions, testing protocols, and resource documents.
- Convenient links to easily forward essential guidance to colleagues.
- A time stamped change log to provide transparency, credibility, and a quick way to monitor updates.
An updated website with robust resources
APR has also updated its full website to make it easier to find important resources and tools for stakeholders across the plastics recycling value chain. Users will now find a policy hub; an academic library, linking to key research on plastics recycling; and a searchable database with filters to find podcasts, blogs, articles, and more by topic.
The APR Design Guide is cited by organizations such as The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, The Recycling Partnership, U.S. Plastics Pact, Walmart, and Consumer Goods Forum, and is used by packaging producers and regulatory bodies worldwide, including regions in North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Most recently, the state of California has adopted the APR Design Guide into law, under "Truth in Labeling" law SB 343.
"The APR Design Guide has provided technical guidance to thousands of companies on plastic design for recyclability," says Curt Cozart, APR COO and creator of the APR Design Training Program. "This tool details which specific design features are compatible with other design features to ensure the overall plastic package performs most efficiently in the recycling system. The new APR Design Guide digital tool puts everything at the designers' fingertips in a new and intuitive platform enabling them to create packaging that meets their requirements, can be successfully recycled, and avoid landfills."
