What Is PCR Plastic and Why Is It a Good Solution for Sustainable Packaging?
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What Is PCR Plastic and Why Is It a Good Solution for Sustainable Packaging?
Responsibly sourced, sustainable packaging has been at the heart of our philosophy from the beginning.
Our dedication to leaving a lighter footprint on our planet means we have an ongoing commitment to sourcing pioneering sustainable packaging materials. Whether it's our signature glass bottles, made from recyclable glass sourced in Germany, or our innovative refill system made from 75% post-consumer material (rHDPE), we work hard to ensure every element of our packaging is sustainable as possible. Join us on our sustainable journey and learn how our PCR plastic and sustainable innovations are kinder for our Earth.
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What does PCR stand for?
PCR stands for Post-Consumer Recycled material or Post-Consumer Resin. These are recycled plastics referred to as rPET (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate), rPP (Recycled Polypropylene Plastic) and rHDPE (Recycled High-Density Polythene).
What is PCR plastic?
PCR plastic is made from recycled plastic that can be widely recycled and then reprocessed into a resin, used to create new packaging. Giving packaging a second life, this process reduces the amount of plastic waste.
How is PCR plastic made?
Plastic waste is collected and colour-absorbed, then shredded into fine granules. These are then melted down and reprocessed into new plastic.
What are the benefits of PCR plastic?
Many benefits come with using PCR plastic. This type of plastic is less wasteful than new plastic, as a reduced amount of waste is produced and collected, creating less waste in landfills and water sources. PCR plastic also reduces your carbon footprint for a more positive impact on our Earth.
Does PCR plastic have disadvantages/limits?
During each recycling process, the materials can begin to lose their substance/quality, which is why there are high-grade recyclates and low-grade recyclates. As well as this, not all PCR plastic can be recycled, depending on its use.
Can PCR plastic be recycled?
Yes, PCR plastic is recyclable depending on how it is used. At Susanne Kaufmann, all of our PCR packaging is 100% recyclable.
How many times can PCR plastic be recycled?
PCR plastic is a circular material, so it can be recycled after use. You can safely recycle PCR plastic approximately seven-to-nine times.
Is PCR plastic biodegradable?
No, PCR plastic is not biodegradable. Biodegradable packaging naturally breaks down into non-toxic component substances once consigned to a compost heap. PCR packaging has already achieved the goal of sustainability before the consumer even purchases it, with no need for further reprocessing.
What is the difference between PCR and other eco-friendly packaging?
There are many different eco-friendly packaging options out there, such as recyclable packaging and biodegradable packaging. When looking at recyclable or recycled plastic, recyclable plastic needs to be a 'one material plastic' and not a mixture of different plastics to be considered 100% recyclable. For example, if you have a refill packaging with a cap-closure and this cap is made from another plastic, it would not be considered 100% recyclable. For this reason, we created our unique capless design, reducing the number of plastic materials needed and ensuring the packaging is 100% recyclable. Additionally, our secondary packaging uses 100% recyclable paper.
Our 100% Recyclable Refill System
We recently launched our 100% recyclable refill bottles for our best-selling 250ml cleansing products: Purifying Cleansing Gel, Hair & Body Wash, Invigorating Hair & Body Wash, Hand Soap, Soothing Cleansing Milk and Soothing Toner. Each recyclable refill not only helps reduce landfill waste, but also cuts carbon emissions by 69%. Made from 75% post-consumer material, it is 60% lighter than standard plastic bottles making it our most environmentally friendly packaging ever. We believe that sustainability is a never-ending journey and promise to continue to explore opportunities to reduce our environmental impact in the long run. We are committed to this philosophy and plan to expand our scope by adding more products to our refill system.
Our Multi-Protection Mist
Our Multi-Protection Mist is made from 100% recycled post-consumer material and is packaged in FSC-certified paper that is fully recyclable. Embracing our commitment to sustainable manufacturing, this is the next step towards even more sustainable product design.
Sharing Our Sustainability Commitment with You
At Susanne Kaufmann, we believe that we all have a part to play in looking after our planet and our sustainable packaging efforts go a long way in helping to reduce carbon emissions and waste. However, when it comes to recycling, we need to create a partnership between you and us. Thank you for joining us on this journey.
Learn more about our sustainable packaging
PCR (Post-Consumer Regrind) plastics are already substantially impacting sustainability. According to the US Plastics Pact:
Contact us to discuss your requirements of pcr plastic pros and cons. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
- PCR plastic can reduce energy consumption by at least 79%.
- Manufacturing products from PCR plastics already saves more electricity than is consumed annually in all of Los Angeles.
- PCR-based products reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of nearly 500,000 cars taken off the road.
With consumers, policymakers, and manufacturers all placing a greater emphasis on sustainability, the growth of PCR plastic usage will continue to accelerate for the foreseeable future.
In this article, we define PCR packaging, highlight its potential benefits, and explain what makes it different from other types of sustainable plastic material.
What is PCR plastic?
PCR plastic refers to plastic material that has been recycled to make new, more sustainable packaging and other products. Also called &#;Post Consumer Recyclate&#; and &#;Post Consumer Resin,&#; PCR is made from used items that are reground and reprocessed to be reused in safe, cost-effective recycled plastic products. Once reprocessing is completed, PCR plastics may be used in manufacturing like any other polymer resin. We walk through how this process works for thermoformed plastic packaging in our article here.
Because non-recycled plastics (called &#;virgin plastics&#;) are processed from fossil fuels, greater adoption of PCR plastic can help directly reduce carbon emissions. According to the Association of Plastic Recyclers, replacing new plastic with recycled plastic can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70%. Additionally, every piece of PCR plastic means less plastic waste in our landfills, waterways, and oceans.
A plastic product may be made entirely or partially from PCR material. Even switching to 10 or 20% PCR can substantially mitigate a product&#;s environmental impact, and a broad range of potential PCR mixes allows businesses to find the optimal mix that enhances sustainability while ensuring a quality end-user experience. The proper grades of PCR plastic can provide equivalent strength, performance, and product protection compared to virgin plastics.
PCR plastic products may be recycled once again after use, effectively allowing PCR material to remove plastic waste and reduce carbon emissions over many cycles of product use. This potential for cyclical reuse is why PCR plastics are an important component of the push for a more circular economy. Because traditional plastics, including PCR, are non-biodegradable, circular recycling is critical for limiting the overall stream of plastic waste.
See our article here for a deeper look at the benefits of eco-friendly food packaging.
What are common PCR materials?
Some of the most commonly used PCR plastic materials include:
- PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
- PP (Polypropylene Plastic)
- HDPE (High-Density Polythene)
Recycled grades of these materials are often signified by a lowercase letter &#;r&#; appended to the front of their abbreviation: rPET, rPP, rHDPE.
Are there important limitations on PCR plastic?
While PCR reprocessing results in a final product that is safe and hygienic for a wide variety of applications, certain high-purity applications, such as medical and pharmaceutical products, preclude the use of PCR materials.
PCR materials may also exhibit different coloring and clarity compared to non-recycled polymers, including flecks and other visual inconsistencies. In some cases, these unique visual characteristics can even be incorporated into the design of products made from PCR plastic. In others, additional processing can help achieve the desired appearance.
How does PCR plastic compare to other types of sustainable plastic?
PCR plastic is not the only variety of plastic materials designed to help mitigate the environmental impact of products/packaging. Other important categories of sustainable plastic include:
- Post-Industrial Resin (PIR): like PCR plastic, PIR refers to material that has been recycled and reprocessed to reduce waste. Unlike PCR, however, PIR material may have never actually entered the consumer marketplace. Examples include excess material from the supply chain and process waste from manufacturing.
- Bioplastics: these plastics are manufactured using biomass sources (such as vegetable oils, straw, sawdust, food waste, etc.) rather than fossil fuels. Note that this manufacturing process does not necessarily result in &#;biodegradable&#; plastics (see below).
- Biodegradable: this material category is designed to break down much more quickly than normal plastics. Most biodegradable plastics require a well-controlled, industrial-grade composting system to ensure a successful decomposition.
Each of these material categories will have valuable and complementary roles to play in reducing plastic waste and energy consumption, supplementing PCR plastic&#;s ability to directly reclaim waste from the consumer marketplace.
Which PCR Plastics are safe to use with food?
Food-grade recycled PET resins are widely available, and options for HDPE and other PCR materials have proliferated rapidly in recent years.
These PCR plastics are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for food-contacting applications. FDA-compliant PCR food containers have proven to be a safe solution across a variety of food and beverage product categories.
As with any food-contacting material, proper handling and adherence to FDA guidelines are critical. These considerations must account for nuances including the types of food, intended packaging use case, and the implementation of relevant quality control measures. To assist food packaging makers, the FDA provides case-by-case advice on which processes are suitable for food-contact applications. You can find this guidance here:
Guidance for Industry: Use of Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging
How PCR Plastics Can Help Drive ESG Progress
Plastic products and packaging offer unique benefits for consumers but also create unique challenges for waste management, energy usage, and recycling. PCR materials can help protect core consumer benefits while promoting more environmentally responsible operations.
As organizations seek to advance their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, more widespread adoption of PCR plastics will be critical for helping businesses demonstrate their commitment to sustainability, project a forward-thinking brand image, and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
As consumer awareness and demand for sustainable products continue to grow, the adoption of PCR plastics will only accelerate. In this context, working to incorporate a higher PCR mix is a great way for organizations to proactively invest in a more sustainable future.
Need help sourcing more sustainable options for plastic packaging? Learn more about Lacerta&#;s commitment to sustainability.
Want more information on Recycled Plastic Products? Feel free to contact us.