The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) recently launched the new and improved APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability digital tool to commemorate its 30th anniversary. Widely recognized across the globe as the authority on plastics packaging design for recyclability, the APR Design Guide helps companies measure each aspect of a package design against industry-accepted criteria to ensure that it is truly compatible with the recycling system.

Introducing an enhanced user experience with new capabilities and features to expand the reach and impact of this critical tool, key updates and improvements include:

• Upgraded platform with simplified, user-friendly navigation.
• Filters to quickly locate specific design guidance.
• Customizable views providing simple summaries with options to expand for more technical detail.
• Embedded, contextually relevant links to recommended next steps such as APR Design Recognized solutions, testing protocols and resource documents.
• Convenient links to easily forward essential guidance to colleagues.
• A time stamped change log to provide transparency, credibility, and a quick way to monitor updates.

APR has also updated its full website, making it easier to find important resources and tools for stakeholders across the plastics recycling value chain and beyond. Users will now find a robust Policy Hub, an Academic Library linking to key research on plastics recycling, and a searchable database with filters to find podcasts, blogs, articles and more by topic.

“We are proud to commemorate 30 years of The APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability,” says Steve Alexander, APR president and CEO. “With Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Mandated PCR legislation taking effect across the US, continued negotiations toward a Global Plastics Treaty, as well as PCR and sustainability commitments coming due on the near horizon, this new and improved digital tool could not have launched at a more important time.”

The APR Design Guide is cited by organizations such as The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, The Recycling Partnership, US Plastics Pact, Walmart, and Consumer Goods Forum – and used by packaging producers and regulatory bodies worldwide, including regions in North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa. Most recently, the state of California has adopted the APR Design Guide into law, under “Truth in Labeling” law SB 343.

“The APR Design Guide has provided technical guidance to thousands of companies on plastic design for recyclability,” adds Curt Cozart, APR COO and creator of the APR Design Training Program. “This tool details which specific design features are compatible with other design features to ensure the overall plastic package performs most efficiently in the recycling system. The new APR Design Guide Digital Tool puts everything at the designers’ fingertips in a new and intuitive platform, enabling them to create packaging that meets their requirements, can be successfully recycled, and avoid landfills.”