The Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) has announced the first companies to receive Meets Preferred Guidance (MPG) recognition. Launched in August of this year, the MPG program recognizes materials, components, and complete packages composed of PET, HDPE, PP, and PE film that are considered Preferred according to the APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability.

The MPG Review Program provides confidence for purchasing and sourcing personnel at brand owner companies that what they are purchasing is designed for recyclability. The program encourages packaging manufacturers, to obtain an independent assessment from APR to determine if their product meets the Preferred guidance criteria. Companies whose products meet APR Preferred guidance receive a letter that can be presented to customers and used for marketing.

Plastic dispensers for use with PET, HDPE, and PP containers are the first design components to be eligible for the program. The following companies have developed dispensers that have received MPG recognition:

• APackaging Group’s Infinity Pump Series™ all-polyolefin lotion pumps for HDPE and PET bottles
• Aptar’s Future all-PE pump for HDPE
• HANA’s globally patented ECOHELIX 100% polypropylene dispensing pumps for PET, HDPE and PP containers

“Dispenser design features have historically led to contamination in the recycling stream, which impacts not only the recyclers but also the companies that use recycled content,” states Sandeep Kulkarni, APR’s technical consultant for APR Recognition Programs. “We commend these manufacturers for stepping up to the plate and developing new dispensers that are compatible with recycling infrastructure.”

Additional design elements that will become eligible for MPG recognition in the coming months include:

• HDPE base resin
• Labels for HDPE containers
• PET base resin
• Caps and closures for PET containers
• Labels for PET containers

“The Meets Preferred Guidance program provides assurance that packaging and components are compatible with recycling and enable a circular economy,” comments Steve Alexander, APR president and CEO. “We are pleased to see the interest in the MPG program and look forward to announcing continued expansion of eligible items for the program, as well as additional MPG recognition recipients.”

The use of plastic packages that achieve the design principles outlined in the APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability help to ensure that high quality recycled plastic is available in the market for brand companies that are committed to using PCR in their plastic products.