Sustainability has become an increasingly common concern for consumers, and a significant influence on purchasing decisions. For this reason, many companies are actively looking for ways to make their products and business models more sustainable. Chief among these is reducing plastic waste and using environmentally friendlier packaging, including incorporating Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics. These materials are valued for their ability to reduce landfill waste and carbon emissions.
As environmental regulations tighten and consumer demand for eco-friendly products grows, the role of PCR materials will only increase, due to their versatility for so many packaging applications. Keep reading to learn more about post-consumer recycled plastics, the benefits they provide, and how they are used in packaging.
What Are PCR Plastics?
Post-consumer recycled plastics, commonly referred to as PCR plastics, are made from items that consumers recycle every day through their local recycling programs, such as plastic bottles and containers. Recycled materials are shipped to recycling facilities for cleaning, sorting, baling, melting or grinding, and finally, molding. When PCR plastics are used to create packaging materials, they help lessen reliance on virgin plastics.
How PCR Differs From PIR Materials
While PCR plastics originate from consumer waste, post-industrial recycled (PIR) materials come from scrap and waste generated during the manufacturing process. In most PIR processes, scrap materials are immediately put back into the manufacturing process and are recycled without ever leaving the facility. While PIR materials are typically cleaner and more chemically uniform than PCR plastics, this doesn’t address the bigger issue of post-consumer waste. PCR materials are often considered more environmentally friendly, as they divert used plastics from landfills and oceans.
Key Sustainability Benefits of PCR Plastics
PCR plastics have many sustainability benefits, including:
Lower Energy Use and Emissions
Incorporating PCR plastics into the manufacturing process can significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. For instance, manufacturing with recycled PET can cut energy use by up to 79% and emissions by 67% compared to using virgin materials, lowering the environmental impact of manufacturing.
Reduced Demand for Virgin Materials
Using PCR materials means there is less need to produce new plastic materials. This can help conserve finite resources like fossil fuels and decrease environmental degradation from carbon emissions. The shift to PCR materials then supports global efforts to minimize pollution and resource depletion.
Common Applications in Packaging
PCR plastics are highly versatile and can be used in many applications, including packaging. Some of the most common applications of PCR in sustainable plastic packaging include:
- Food and Beverages. PCR plastics are commonly used to manufacture bottles and containers for the food and beverage industry. This is because many PCR plastics meet safety standards for direct food contact, and they significantly reduce plastic waste in food production.
- Personal Care and Cosmetics. Brands can use PCR materials for many types of packaging, like shampoo bottles and lotion tubes. These reduce waste and align their production process with consumer preferences for sustainable products.
- Household and Industrial Products. Cleaning product containers are another great application for PCR plastics.
Food, Beverage, and Personal Care Uses
The type of PCR material used for packaging depends on its application. PCR PET is favored in the food and beverage industry for its clarity and strength. Personal care product packaging often incorporates PCR HDPE and PP as they provide the durability and chemical resistance necessary for items like creams and shampoos.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the environmental advantages associated with using PCR plastics, there are also some challenges and limitations, especially at a large scale, such as:
- Variable Quality. The recycling process can result in inconsistencies in color and material properties that affect product appearance and performance. Additionally, with each recycling process, the materials can start to lose quality or desirable properties, which is why there are high-grade and low-grade recyclates.
- Higher Costs. While recycled plastics may be better for the environment, they aren’t always better for the budget. The fact is that processing and certifying PCR materials can be more expensive than producing virgin plastics, which can affect raw material and finished product prices.
- Supply Limitations. Unfortunately, current recycling infrastructure and collection rates are limited, which reduces the availability of PCR materials. This means that despite growing manufacturer interest in using them, PCR materials aren’t always a viable packaging solution.
Why Brands Are Choosing PCR Solutions
Brands across many industries are increasingly adopting post-consumer recycled packaging to meet consumer expectations and sustainability goals. Demonstrating environmental responsibility enhances brand image while also ensuring compliance with emerging regulations that mandate recycled content in packaging. Despite the obstacles to universal adoption, the benefits of incorporating PCR plastics wherever possible remain worthwhile.
Contact WB Bottle Supply Co. today to learn more about PCR materials and the benefits of choosing environmentally friendly PCR packaging solutions.