Berlin Packaging partners with the Association of Plastic Recyclers to offer PET bottles for recycling tests
Berlin Packaging, a leading Hybrid Packaging Supplier, has partnered with the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) on a sample bottle program to assist in the design and testing of recyclable PET plastic packaging. Under the partnership, Berlin now offers small quantities of specific PET bottles required to conduct PET recyclability test protocols at third party testing labs to receive APR Design for Recyclability Recognition. Berlin Packaging is a member of the APR.
The APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability helps companies design recyclable packaging that can be readily transformed into high-quality, post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.
The APR Design Guide classifies package design features according to four recyclability categories:
- APR Design Guide preferred;
- Detrimental to recycling;
- Renders package non-recyclable; and
- Requires testing.
APR Design for Recyclability Recognition provides third-party validation that a package or packaging component’s design is compatible with the North American recycling system. This is done by confirming that the item has met the highest criteria for recyclability according to the APR Design Guide.
From its stock inventory, Berlin supplies 16-oz natural Boston round bottles made of (B90A) PET resin — an APR preferred PET base resin. The bottles accommodate 24-410 caps. While these bottles fulfill the requirements for APR test protocols, they are also publicly available for purchase.
“Clear PET bottles made from a known virgin resin are required to conduct APR test protocols,” explained John Standish, APR’s Technical Consultant. “Sourcing the test bottles, perhaps 20 to 100 units per test variable, can be a challenge for some companies, who may be experts in labels or adhesives, but not in PET bottles. Finding the right bottles can be costly, with long lead times. Our partnership with Berlin helps to overcome this challenge and facilitates the process of securing PET test bottles for companies seeking APR Design Recognition.”
“We are committed to leading the future of sustainable packaging,” declared Balaji Jayaseelan, Berlin’s Vice President of Sustainability. “Our mission is to promote a sustainability culture along our entire value chain, from suppliers and customers to local communities where we operate and allied organisations. Berlin’s partnership with APR builds upon our mission and expands our collaborations with like-minded organisations championing sustainability.”
