What is Post Consumer Resin (PCR) Plastic? PCR's Pros & ...

In today's environmentally conscious world, sustainability has become a significant focus across various industries. One solution gaining momentum is the use of Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic in packaging. PCR plastic, as its name suggests, is made from recycled materials, specifically consumer waste like plastic bottles and containers. 

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By embracing PCR plastic, businesses can significantly reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and raw materials in production, minimizing their environmental impact and footprint. In this article, we explore the applications of PCR plastic, its benefits, considerations, and the resources TricorBraun offers to meet sustainability goals.

What is PCR Plastic Used For?

PCR plastic finds application in a wide range of industries and products. It is commonly used in the manufacturing of packaging materials such as bottles, jars, and containers for personal care items, cleaning supplies, food, beverages, and more. TricorBraun offers PCR plastic bottles for businesses in different sectors packaging products such as shampoos, lotions, and supplements. Explore TricorBraun's range of PCR plastic packaging options.

What is Virgin Resin?

Virgin resin refers to plastic made from new, non-recycled materials. Unlike PCR material, which utilizes post-consumer waste sourced from recycling programs and recycling facilities, virgin resin relies on raw materials derived from fossil fuels. It is commonly used in various industries and packaging applications, offering a wide range of physical properties and customization options. While virgin resin has its place in packaging, the rising popularity of PCR plastic demonstrates the increasing demand for sustainable alternatives in today's plastic materials market.

TircorBraun teamed up with Project Clean to create a 100% PCR bottles and containers for their product line.

Advantages of PCR Packaging

Using PCR plastic in packaging offers several advantages, contributing to both environmental sustainability and brand reputation. Some key benefits include:

1. Reduced Carbon Footprint: By utilizing post-consumer waste, PCR plastic reduces the consumption of fossil fuels and energy required in the production of new plastic, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Resource Conservation: PCR plastic reduces the demand for virgin resin, conserving valuable natural resources such as petroleum and natural gas.
3. Waste Minimization: Incorporating PCR plastic into packaging promotes the circular economy by diverting plastic waste from landfills, fully embracing the recycling process and extending the useful life of materials.
4. Consumer Appeal: As eco-consciousness grows, consumers are increasingly favoring brands that demonstrate their commitment to sustainability. Using PCR packaging allows businesses to align with consumer values and strengthen their brand image.

Things to Consider Before Using PCR Packaging

While PCR plastic presents numerous advantages, it is important to consider specific factors before transitioning from virgin resin to PCR packaging. Some considerations include:

1. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with regional regulations and certifications related to the use of PCR plastic, as these may vary.
2. Quality and Performance: Evaluate PCR plastic's physical properties, such as clarity, strength, and barrier properties, to ensure they meet the specific requirements of your product.
3. Supply and Availability: Assess the availability of PCR plastic in sufficient quantities to meet your packaging needs, considering potential fluctuations in supply chains.
4. Cost Considerations: Understand the potential cost implications associated with PCR plastic, including any additional processing or sourcing expenses.

TricorBraun is committed to providing sustainable packaging solutions tailored to your unique requirements. We offer a wide range of stock and custom PCR plastic packaging options, enabling businesses to align with environmental goals while maintaining brand integrity. To explore our extensive packaging solutions or discuss your specific needs, talk to a TricorBraun packaging consultant today.

The rise of PCR plastic in packaging signifies a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. By harnessing the advantages of PCR plastic and considering important factors, businesses can make informed decisions to reduce their environmental footprint while meeting consumer demands. Embrace the power of PCR plastic and join the journey toward a greener, more responsible approach to eco friendly packaging.

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PCR plastic packaging is a sustainable packaging solution currently gaining traction in the pursuit of limiting the environmental impacts of product waste. Many global leading brand owners have announced their sustainability commitments to incorporate PCR plastics by -. Before adopting this solution, you should consider the challenges you might face with PCR plastics. PCR is not a perfect solution, and it comes with its unique advantages and disadvantages. First, let us discuss the basics.

What is PCR plastic?

PCR stands for Post-Consumer Recycled. Some people use PCR as Post-Consumer Resin. PCR plastics are end products of the recycling process from used plastics. There are many types of plastics in the market, but the most common PCR materials are high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The amount of polypropylene (PP) collected through recycling is less than HDPE and PET, making it less available as a PCR format. However, there are growing demands for PP PCR plastics along with HDPE and PET. The benefits of using PCR, such as reduction in total carbon footprints, and reduction of waste and use of raw materials, are already well known. However, it is vital to recognize the challenges of using PCR to make the right decisions. To understand the challenges associated with PCR, first, we must understand how it is made.

The most popularly used plastic recycling system, known as mechanical recycling, requires various steps, including sorting, cleaning, shredding, melting, and remolding. After the mechanical recycling process, used plastics become PCR resin used to manufacture plastic products once again.

Consideration 1: PCR Material Quality

 &#; Degradation

Plastics are typically composed of polymers. The polymers have long-chain structures with various elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. During the recycling process, the polymer chains break down, resulting in degradation. This is why it is challenging to create packaging with 100% PCR with the same durability and performance as packaging manufactured from virgin resin. Most plastic can only be recycled a few times before it becomes unusable. There has been tremendous innovation around PCR, making it possible to develop 100% PCR packaging with good performance, such as the packaging used for Colgate-Palmolive dish soap. However, it is still one of the main hurdles associated with PCR.

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Consideration 2: PCR Material Quality

&#; Impurity

In addition, not all recyclable plastics are recycled&#;quality matters. Plastics have not only different chemical and physical properties but also different applications. For these reasons, plastics that are collected contain various materials, sizes, shapes, and colors. Even though plastics go through an intensive sorting process, PCR resin can still result in some impurities. Therefore, recycled plastics generally must have good quality to be accepted for reprocessing. On top of the challenge of finding a steady supply of PCR, brand owners who wish to use such materials are also faced with ensuring that the supply they have found is of adequate quality.

Consideration 3: PCR Material Supply

Lastly, as mentioned above, the supply of PCR plastics cannot support the growing PCR plastic demand. According to Waste Management, 25% of materials that consumers place in recycling bins do not get recycled due to contamination. While many consumers understand the importance of recycling, there is a general lack of understanding on how to recycle products.

The chart below details how the US PCR markets have changed over the past five years, polyethylene or PET, and recycled PET or rPET.

In , China stopped importing about two billion tons of plastic trash each year. Quickly, the world realized the impact and size of our global waste issue. From to , governments implemented policies to reduce virgin plastic and brands committed to circularity goals. It is a good start but still detrimental to both supply and demand.

Current / Futuristic PCR Market:

Supply

• The current supply of PCR used in packaging is not projected to meet the demands that we have over the next few years.
• Waste recycling, recovery and collection are becoming more economically attractive. Large companies like, KW Plastics invested and expanded in new capacity, increasing supply volume and quality.
• Packaging norms are changing towards sustainable recyclable designs, ultimately increasing higher quality &#;circular&#; supply.

Demand

• Buyers and sellers now have a new opportunity with these new digital marketplaces to make trading more feasible.
• PCR packaging helps reduce the demand for raw materials and decreases the amount of plastic sent to landfills.
• PCR demands continue to increase as oil becomes more expensive and generally not wanted.

This graph below showcases the plastics and resins index have been declining since October . This is caused by the inflation directed demand of the supply chain.

Summary

In conclusion, PCR plastic is a great sustainable option. It is essential to be aware of the challenges and use PCR as one of the options to achieve sustainability goals. ZACROS has been in the flexible liquid packaging market for over 50 years. We have experience and knowledge about packaging as well as materials. We think beyond the packaging with our innovations. Contact us to learn more.

References

&#;Misalignment between PCR supply and demand.&#; Recycling Today.

&#;The Economic Case for Recycled Plastics Is Improving.&#; IndustryWeek.

&#;What Is PCR Plastic? The Pros and Cons of PCR Packaging.&#; thecarycompany.com.

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