Page 40 - Plastics News June 2023

FEATURE

ing sortation requirements, and im- oped by several organizations and are how best to invest in the composting
proving recycled resin quality by re- helping the packaging industry choose infrastructure, including packaging,
ducing contamination, color, or scent combinations of polymers, labels, and and address how to handle hard-to-
concerns, thereby simplifying the reg- additives that do not hinder a pack- recycle materials by investing in col-
ulatory acceptance of recycled resins age’s recyclability. Many brand own- lection and sortation technology and
for food-contact applications. ers use these guidelines to help meet supporting end-market development.
commitments to increase the use of The data also show package design
Compostable and recyclable packag-
ing in a circular packaging economy. recycled content. Unfortunately, a needs to consider many factors be-
disconnect between strong demand yond design for recycling. Leveraging
Compostable packaging has a project- an insufficien su an process- EPR to help balance all the design vari-
ed CAGR of 15-16% during the next ing capacity for recycled resin must ables should create benefits for each
decade and is receiving a lot of atten- overcome. Lik flex packaging, stakeholder.
tion because there is a perception poten solution in simplifi an
that it offers a less-complicated end- improved collection, better sortation Universal Access. Providing all house-
of-life option. However, composting techniques, and greater capacity for holds with convenient and consistent
also suffers from a lack of infrastruc- end-of-life reprocessing. Chemical access to recycling and composting
ture. According to statistics from the recycling could be a potential way to services would increase collection.
Sustainable Packaging Coalition, only increase capacity as well as recycled Standardized Definitions. Definitions
27% of the U.S. population has access resin quality. for commonly used terms like recy-
to curbside composting programs, cling and composting would ensure
and only 11% of those composting Strengthening a circular packaging stakeholders are communicating a
programs accept packaging. economy through these seven steps. consistent message and reduce con-
Achieving a circular economy depends sumer confusion.
To realize the full circular potential
of compostable packaging, the US on improving the infrastructure for Alternatives to Material Bans. Mate-
needs to increase consumer access collection, sortation, and end-of-life rial bans can prevent CPG companies
to composting by investing in the col- reprocessing. Policy changes will be from choosing the optimum packag-
lection of compostable materials and needed to achieve these objectives. ing material and increase a product’s
in expanded access to composting fa- According to the report, establishing environmental impact. Shifting from
cilities that accept food scraps along a circular economy will depend on the material bans to dialogues about col-
with packaging. As the US looks at development of… lection, sorting, and reprocessing
investments into the necessary col- Extended producer responsibility gives brand owners the freedom to
lection and processing infrastructure, (EPR). EPR prog financ pick the best option.
the most immediate impact is likely and operational responsibility for
to be attained if closed systems like end-of-life management of products
stadiums, food service outlets, and to producers instead of taxpayers and
cafeterias were implemented before the government. As of spring 2023,
household collection programs. four states (California, Colorado,
Maine, and Oregon) have enacted
EPR requirements, and more states
are considering EPR bills. However, a
national law would overcome a patch- Recovery Innovation.
work of differing state requirements
and simplify compliance. Data Collection.
The research within this study indi- Reusables Infrastructure.
cates EPR programs should include
Recycled-content packaging is a popu- a focus on ways to improve the qual-
lar path toward circularity. Design for ity and quantity of recycled materials.
recycling guidelines have been devel- Key considerations should explore

40 PLASTICS NEWS June 2023