A total of five companies are being recognized for designing products that meet or exceed guidelines established by the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers.
The voluntary guidelines fall under APR's Critical and Applications Guidance Recognition Program, and the recognition is designed to support companies that create packaging and products that do not disrupt and contaminate plastic recycling streams, the trade group said.
American Fuji Seal Inc., Avery Dennison Corp. and Polysack Ltd. are being recognized for new sleeve label technologies that meet APR's design criteria. The Kennedy Group is receiving recognition for work on a pressure sensitive polymer film label and adhesive that can be cleanly removed from PET containers, APR said.
Plastipak Packaging Inc. is being recognized for its technology for the digital printing of labels directly on the surface of PET containers that will not interfere with recyclability, APR said.
“Our primary objectives are to increase supply and reduce contamination. These guidance documents are the industry tested models to ensure new innovations do not contaminate or interfere with a container's or package's ability to be recycled,” said APR executive director Steve Alexander in a statement.
APR is based in Washington.