The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) recently announced the successful culmination of the initial roll-out of the Preferred Design Recognition (PDR) Program which now enables brands, manufacturers, and converters to receive formal APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition for any complete PET, HDPE, or PP package or packaging component that meets the APR’s definition of Preferred according to the APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability. Following the addition of HDPE Packaging Constructs to the list of products eligible for PDR, additional categories will now be added in parallel to future APR Design® Guide updates.

Several paths are available to achieve APR Design Recognition, including PDR, but all paths confirm that a package or packaging component meets the highest criteria for recyclability according to the APR Design Guide. APR Design Recognition helps component and packaging manufacturers meet clients’ goals for recyclable packaging, providing third-party validation that a package or packaging component’s design is compatible with the North American recycling system.

“This marks the end of a 15-month effort, spanning all APR Technical Committees, to fully align the PDR Pathway with the APR Design® Guide,” says Ruben Nance, APR program director for PDR. “The APR Design for Recyclability Recognition Program now provides appropriate pathways for manufacturers and converters to reliably assess the recyclability of their PET, HDPE, or PP packaging components, as well as creating a resource for brands to easily find recyclable packaging options.”

Brand and retailer procurement teams can save the time, effort and resources needed to identify and validate recyclable packaging through the APR Library of Recognized Solutions. The recently upgraded library now includes search, sort, and filter capabilities. New products are now included in real time, with ongoing additional improvements in searchability and categorization.

“The successful rollout of this program comes at a pivotal time as companies prepare for extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies in multiple states, compliance with California’s SB343 Truth in Labeling law, as well as other commitments, including the US Plastics Pact,” comments Steve Alexander, president & CEO of APR. “We look forward to seeing the continued growth and impact of the APR Design Recognition Program and recognizing companies that demonstrate their commitment to developing sustainable packaging solutions.”