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The term post-industrial recycled plastic refers to plastic materials discarded in industrial processes that do not reach the market for final consumer sale. This includes production waste, cut-offs, or scraps from manufacturers using plastic in their production processes.
Post-industrial plastic is typically of fairly good quality and can be recycled and reused for the same production process or for the creation of new plastic products. By recycling this type of plastic and reintegrating it into the same transformation process, it prevents it from ending up in landfills and contributes to a more sustainable use of resources.
Examples of post-industrial plastic may include manufacturing waste from packaging such as bottles and jerrycans, pipe waste, electronic components, among others. These waste materials are collected, sorted, and processed by a waste manager to give them a new purpose, avoiding the use of virgin plastic and reducing environmental impact.
Post-consumer recycled plastic, or PCR, refers to plastic that has been collected, sorted, and processed to be reused after its life as a consumer product. This means the plastic has been used by consumers and then recycled for subsequent use in manufacturing new products. Using post-consumer recycled plastic to manufacture new products helps reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills and conserves the natural resources used in virgin plastic production.
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Both post-industrial and post-consumer recycled plastic must be homologated for use in the manufacturing of new packaging. Homologating recycled plastic involves subjecting it to tests and analyses to ensure it meets the necessary quality and safety requirements for use in packaging.
This ensures that recycled plastic does not contain hazardous substances and has the proper mechanical properties to fulfill its function as packaging. Homologation is also crucial to guarantee the traceability of recycled materials and promote transparency in the recycling process.
There is no single global standard for homologating recycled plastic. Many countries have regulations and standards related to recycling and waste management, including post-consumer plastic. These standards may vary depending on the country and its environmental legislation.
The European standard specifying the necessary procedures for the traceability of recycled plastics is UNE-EN . This standard provides the basis for calculating the recycled content of a product: "Recycled plastics. Traceability and assessment of conformity for recycled plastics and recycled content." It establishes requirements and test methods for recycled plastics from municipal solid waste and mechanical recycling of plastic packaging, enabling them to be used in the manufacturing of non-food products.
UNE-EN is a European standard that sets requirements and test methods for recycled plastics intended for use in manufactured products. Its goal is to ensure that recycled plastics have suitable properties for use in products, complying with quality and safety standards.
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The standard establishes criteria for classifying recycled plastics into different categories based on their origin, recycling processes, and technical characteristics. It also sets minimum quality requirements for these recycled plastics, including physical, mechanical, and thermal properties.
Additionally, it defines the testing methods that should be used to determine the properties of recycled plastics, including tests for strength, hardness, density, thermal stability, among others.
Its importance lies in standardizing the requirements and test methods for recycled plastic used in plastic products. It is crucial for promoting the use of recycled plastic as an alternative that supports sustainability, reduces the environmental impact of plastic waste, and fosters a circular economy.
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The UNE-EN standard establishes quality and safety criteria to ensure that recycled plastic meets the technical and health requirements necessary for its use in plastic products. This is essential to ensure that products made with recycled plastic are safe for users and comply with established technical specifications.
In conclusion, the homologation of recycled plastic, whether post-industrial or post-consumer, plays a fundamental role in the transition to a circular and sustainable economy. The UNE-EN standard serves as an essential pillar by setting rigorous criteria for the quality and safety of recycled plastics used in the manufacturing of new products.
This standard not only contributes to reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste but also promotes environmental awareness and encourages the adoption of more responsible practices in plastic material management. Adhering to these standards promotes the creation of more sustainable packaging, mitigating the negative effects of plastic on the environment and moving towards a greener future.
As today is #plasticfreebeautyday we wanted to highlight why we have chosen to use post consumer recycled plastic for our Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo and Strengthening-Essence Conditioner bottles.
Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo (200ml, £36) and Strengthening-Essence Conditioner (200ml, £36)
Plastic waste is one of the biggest global threats to the environment today, caused by the linear, single-use packaging models that companies (not least beauty companies) have been using for far too long. MONPURE want to be part of the current movement towards &#;closing the loop&#; on waste, using plastic that&#;s not just recyclable but is itself made from post consumer recycled materials.
Virgin plastic is a type of plastic that is brand new i.e. it has not been made from recycled materials. In many cases, this type of plastic can be recycled. However this isn&#;t an ideal scenario, given that in the UK alone, more than half &#; or 51 million tonnes &#; of recyclable waste ends up in landfill or is destroyed.
Post-process recycled plastic uses recycled plastic, but not from the bottles and packets that consumers throw away. Instead it comes from moulding factories who have scraps of plastic left over, which then get recycled into new objects. There are also rumours of corporations who boast &#;recycled plastic&#; packaging, but who first make virgin plastic bottles for the sole purpose of &#;recycling&#; them (sad but true!) &#; so they&#;re not as eco-conscious as you might think.
Post consumer recycled plastic is a type of plastic that has been reprocessed from other products that have been used and thrown away by consumers. A lot of the time, plastic objects that get discarded and recycled will get made into the same object (so an old shampoo bottle will be recycled to make a new one) thus closing the waste loop. This means that eventually, less plastic will end up in landfills, or in our oceans.
Unfortunately, it&#;s not always easy &#; or cheap &#; to recycle post consumer plastic. If you think about the processes involved (collecting, washing, disinfecting, sorting, re-processing, and redistributing it) it&#;s not the most straightforward of processes. There are also issues such as irregularities in colour and the grade of plastic used.
However, MONPURE remain committed to our pledge to help turn the tide on plastic waste. We believe that if we have to use plastic, post consumer recycled plastic &#; that is also recyclable &#; is the best way forward for our planet.
&#;But I put all my plastic into the recycle bin &#; isn&#;t that enough?&#;
When it comes to plastics getting put in the right bins and picked up, there is an important difference in the &#;recovery rate&#; and &#;recycling rate&#;. Recovery rate means the amount of plastic that gets picked up from bins like the ones you probably use at home. It then gets sorted for recycling &#; and the amount that eventually gets sent to a recycling facility is the recycling rate. The rest gets sent to either a landfill or &#;energy from waste&#; facility. So if you use a post consumer recycled plastic product, as we at MONPURE do, you can rest assured that you&#;re not potentially adding to the amount of waste plastic that&#;s already in circulation.
Our Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo and Strengthening-Essence Conditioner bottles are 100% post consumer recycled plastic &#; we designed, modelled and tested many different versions until we were happy with the end result.
But we&#;re not stopping there. As our brand grows, we have further goals to help dismantle the culture of disposable plastic and encourage consumers to be more mindful, so that our beautiful planet is preserved for future generations.
Are you interested in learning more about pcr plastic pros and cons? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!