Page 16 - Plastics News January 2021

CompAny news

APCO, Packaging Forum partner GSK Consumer Health recalls

for soft plastics recycling in New 433,600 bottles of Excedrin
Zealand products

he Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation SK Consumer Health in US is recalling approximately
T(APCO) has reach a new trans-Tasman partnership G433,600 bottles of Excedrin products as some of
with Packaging Forum to enhance soft plastics recycling the bottles containing the over-the-counter drug may
in New Zealand. As part of this partnership, Packaging have a hole in the bottom. The company has recalled
Forum’s membership-based programme ‘Soft Plastic the bottles as children could access and consume
Recycling Scheme’ has been approved as an alternative the contents in
destination under APCO’s initiative Australasian Recycling the bottles, which
Label programme. With the alternative destination posed a risk of
recognition, Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme’s nearly 100 poisoning.The
members will implement consistent labelling for their bottles that are
soft plastic packaging. In addition, businesses involved subject to recall
in soft plastic packaging distribution in the New Zealand contain Excedrin
market will offer accurate and clear soft plastic packaging Migraine Caplets,
recycling information to customers. APCO CEO Brooke Excedrin Migraine
Donnelly said: “Research consistently shows that soft Geltabs, Excedrin
plastics are one of the most problematic contaminants in Extra Strength
the waste stream and are an issue we have to get right in Caplets, Excedrin
order to improve recovery rates for the region. “We are Pm Headache Caplets and Excedrin Tension Headache
delighted to officially partner with The Packaging Forum’s Caplets.GSK Consumer Health said that 50, 80, 100,
Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme to provide our ARL Program 125, 200, 250 and 300-count bottles are being recalled.
Members with an approved, reliable end of life solution The bottles that are part of the recall were sold at
for their soft plastics. “We encourage all businesses pharmacies, department stores, grocery stores, and
selling consumer soft plastic packaging in New Zealand hypermarkets across the US, as well as online from
March 2018 through September 2020.The company said
that the products inside the bottle contain substances
such as aspirin and acetaminophen, which must be in
child-resistant packaging as required by the Poison
Prevention Packaging Act (PPPA).However, the company
said that the plastic bottles come with a child-resistant
closure. GSK said that so far it has not received any
complaints or safety concerns to-date on this potential
problem. It has urged consumers to immediately store
the recalled Excedrin bottles out of sight and reach
of children and inspect the bottom of the bottle to
to join the Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme and provide an determine the presence of a hole. If consumers spot a
evidence-based recovery option on the packaging you hole in the bottle, they have been advised to contact
place on market.” Food company Goodman Fielder group GSK Consumer Relations for information on how to
sustainability manager Mick Anderson said that the ARL and return and receive a full refund via a prepaid shipping
REDcycle logo have been implemented on their packaging label. The company said that it was working with the
in Australia. Goodman Fielder is a foundation partner bottle manufacturer to fix the problem as quickly as
of the Soft Plastic Recycling Scheme in New Zealand. possible. However, GSK added that bottles without
REDcycle is the sister programme in Australia. holes could be retained and used as directed.

Plastics News Januar y 2021 16