While post consumer recycled resin seems to be the leading option to accomplish packaging sustainability in the industry, there are several considerations to make when sourcing PCR material:
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There are four main plastics used in packaging: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Currently, high density polyethylene (HDPE) and PET recycling are more common than others. The infrastructure is built to support the collection of these materials and many CPGs lead initiatives to educate consumers to recycle. PP is readily recyclable but needs more infrastructure and education around the material. Finally, PS is also recyclable as it is extremely tolerant to &#;re-melting,&#; but its collection presents difficulties due to its form factor.
Certain plastics are like oil and water&#;they don&#;t mix well. The contamination caused by their mixing, or worse yet, the addition of other factors (such as food, dirt, or other contaminants) can render the resins very difficult to reuse. The makeup of the post consumer resins can be a big obstacle in the industry&#;s endeavor to achieve a truly circular economy, which is a critical piece for packaging sustainability.
In addition, based on your company&#;s performance requirements of the product, the mixing of the materials can lead to further complications in achieving goals. Almost 60% of European plastics converting companies find it &#;hard&#; or &#;very hard&#; to reuse plastic scrap due to contamination, according to a European Plastics Converters Association study.
Then how can you ensure 100% purity for packaging materials?
The first step is to establish a set of recycled material goals for your product. Then, you need to partner with your supplier to evaluate and understand their sources and supply chain. They must have the appropriate quality controls and tests in place to ensure the material supplied meets your product&#;s specifications.
Therefore, it is imperative that you have full visibility into your supplier ecosystem and a strong understanding of how the post-consumer recycled plastic was sourced, processed and produced.
Not every type of recycled resin works for every use case or complies with applicable regulations.
In the United States, the FDA has guidelines for the use of recycled plastics in food packaging. Specifically, they have three concerns that:
Europe has more stringent guidelines. Under a regulation set over a decade ago, only &#;food-contact materials and articles that contain recycled plastic obtained from an authorized recycling process&#; may be used in the EU.
It is very likely that in the future more industry standards will be developed, and perhaps also government regulation, to ensure the material really is what it should be. Brands once again can partner with governments worldwide to help shape regulation and drive post consumer recycled content forward.
Over the long term, this area will become more like medicine or food&#;when we go to a grocery or drug store, we hardly ever think about whether the medicine or food is &#;good&#; or &#;safe.&#; We rely on the system in the background which ensures that it is.
Finding a steady source of high-quality post consumer recycled plastic is a difficult endeavor today. Consumers are not yet recycling enough plastic waste worldwide&#;which drastically impacts the supply. The reasons vary from geographically different regulations to the additional cost customers must occasionally incur to recycle. Furthermore, while many understand the importance of recycling, many are also confused on how to properly do it.
With such high demand for recycled materials, brands and packaging integrators must treat the sourcing of these resins as a partnership with their supplier, rather than a transactional exchange. Unlike sourcing virgin material, brands, converters and suppliers must work as a team and make the proper investments to build a viable infrastructure. Sometimes, that means launching community initiatives.
PepsiCo, for example, recognizes the importance of bringing all stakeholders together. To support the development of packaging sustainability, they launched PepsiCo Recycling, an initiative to improve plastics recycling infrastructure and raise awareness on the issue worldwide. With their partnerships through the program, they&#;ve provided recycling access to 33 million households across 700 communities in the U.S. since , collecting more than 115 million pounds of plastic bottle and recyclables.
These types of partnerships and investments can help you reach your sustainable packaging goals while making a big difference for the environment. Watch Jabil's documentary: The Sustainable Packaging Revolution for a better understanding of how integrators like Jabil, KW Plastics and Danimer Scientific are bringing innovative packaging solutions to the market.
While long-term partnerships and investments into the larger ecosystem will help to ensure a steady supply of post-consumer recycled resins, end-of-life must be addressed at the very beginning with product design. As it stands currently, approximately 30 percent of plastic packaging will never be reused or recycled without fundamental redesign or innovation, according to the World Economic Forum.
The current recycling infrastructure needs an overhaul, but brands can design their packages to optimize recyclability while working within the boundaries of the current infrastructure. This can be accomplished in different ways, such as making components out of a single polymer family, tethering a cap to a bottle or by minimizing how the packaging is assembled so it can be easily separated when necessary.
If you&#;re considering recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET) for your business, you&#;re already taking a step toward sustainability and environmental responsibility.
But let&#;s be honest&#;purchasing rPET resin isn&#;t as straightforward as it seems. To get the most out of this versatile material, you need to know what to look for and what to avoid.
With years of experience in the industry, we&#;ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the ins and outs of buying rPET resin.
By the time you finish reading, you&#;ll be equipped with the knowledge to make confident, informed decisions.
Let&#;s start with the basics. The quality of rPET resin you buy directly impacts the success of your products. Here&#;s what you need to keep in mind:
1. Source of Raw Material : Always ask where the recycled PET comes from. High-quality rPET resin is typically sourced from post-consumer or post-industrial PET.
Avoid suppliers who can&#;t provide details about their feedstock&#;contamination can spell disaster for your final product.
2. Processing Standards : Reliable suppliers follow strict cleaning, sorting, and processing protocols. If they don&#;t, you&#;ll likely end up with inconsistent quality that&#;s a headache to work with.
3. Certification : Look for certifications like ISO or food-grade compliance, especially if your products are intended for food and beverage packaging. This ensures the rPET meets industry standards.
It&#;s not just about what rPET resin looks like; it&#;s about how it performs. Pay attention to these properties:
1. Strength and Durability : rPET resin can have slightly lower tensile strength than virgin PET. However, blending it with virgin PET or using chain extenders during processing can restore its mechanical properties.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Post Consumer Recycled Resin. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
2. Thermal Stability : The melting and crystallization temperatures of rPET resin may be slightly lower due to contaminants. Additives can help, especially for high-temperature applications.
3. Viscosity and Rheology : Lower viscosity is common in rPET resin, which can impact processability. Advanced techniques like reactive extrusion can improve its flow properties and molecular weight.
Learn More : Recycled PET vs. Virgin PET - A Comprehensive Comparison
If sustainability is your goal, ensure your rPET resin supplier aligns with it:
1. Sustainability Impact: Confirm that the recycling process minimizes energy use and emissions.
2. Regulatory Standards: Make sure the rPET resin complies with local and international regulations, such as FDA or EU standards, particularly for food-grade applications.
Your supplier can make or break your rPET resin experience. Here&#;s what to look for:
1. Reputation: Work with suppliers known for consistent quality and transparent operations.
2. Customization Options: If you need specific rPET properties, like clear flakes or colored pellets, choose a supplier who offers tailored solutions.
Once you&#;ve ensured the quality and reliability of your rPET resin, understanding its processing and applications is the next step.
Also Read : Recycled PET for Food Contact - Safety and Standards
Getting the best out of rPET resin requires precision. Follow these tips:
1. Temperature Control: Maintain processing temperatures between 210°C and 270°C. This prevents polymer degradation and ensures optimal performance.
2. Extrusion and Molding: Proper washing, grinding, and extrusion techniques are critical for producing high-quality rPET resin suitable for diverse applications.
3. Additives and Stabilizers: Additives can enhance thermal stability, color, and mechanical properties, ensuring your rPET meets specific requirements.
rPET resin is more versatile than you might think. Here are some of its top uses:
1. Packaging: Ideal for food and beverage containers, rPET offers strength, clarity, and sustainability.
2. Textiles: From fashion to industrial fabrics, rPET fibers are lightweight, quick-drying, and eco-friendly.
3. Construction: Geotextiles made from rPET are durable and environmentally friendly, perfect for soil stabilization and erosion control.
4. Advanced Materials: Think 3D printing filaments and composite reinforcements&#;rPET is paving the way for innovation.
1. Contamination: Impurities can affect rPET&#;s mechanical and thermal properties.
2. Quality Variability: Differences in feedstock and processing can lead to inconsistencies.
1. Rigorous Quality Control: Work with suppliers who use advanced sorting and cleaning technologies.
2. Processing Optimization: Techniques like reactive extrusion can improve rPET&#;s properties and make it more reliable.
Here&#;s the bottom line: a good supplier is your greatest asset. Langgeng Jaya Group is a trusted supplier of high-quality rPET flakes and pellets, known for strict quality standards and customizable solutions.
Partnering with a supplier like Langgeng Jaya Group ensures you&#;re getting the best material for your needs.
Also Read : A Complete Guide to Choosing the Right FIBC for Your Business
Buying recycled PET isn&#;t just a purchase; it&#;s an investment in sustainability and quality. By understanding the factors outlined here, you&#;ll be well-equipped to make informed decisions that benefit your business and the environment.
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