Making the switch to post-consumer recycled waste materials in our packaging is a key step in promoting the circular economy through recycling and reusing.
There are many issues associated with producing traditional plastic packaging. Firstly, it isn’t biodegradable so amounts of toxicity and waste build up if measures aren’t implemented to reduce the amount of virgin plastic materials used. New plastic also mostly comes from non-renewable resources such as petroleum which has detrimental environmental impacts.
But what exactly is Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR)?
PCR is essentially plastic that has been used, recycled and repurposed into a reusable material. PCR labels are a valuable eco packaging solution that helps to meet both brand and consumer demand for more recycled packaging.
Using recycled content in our labels has a number of benefits including:
- Diverting plastic from landfills to keep them from growing, keeping our oceans clean and reducing harm to wildlife
- Reducing the amount of plastic produced, lowering the earth’s overall waste
- Helping enhance recycling by creating a market for circular solutions by increasing the demand for post-consumer recycled content
- Increasing the productivity of already manufactured materials
- Decreasing the amount of virgin fossil resources used in packaging
- Reducing toxicity as less plastic is being produced which has harmful environmental impacts
Developments across the world
There is a growing movement to reduce plastic waste across the world. Recent legislation in the European Union has increased recycling to cover over 50% of plastic waste and to make all plastic recyclable or reusable by 2030.
In August 2020, California passed a bill requiring 50% post-consumer recycled content in plastic beverage bottles by 2030.
In Australia, the national packaging targets are to have a 50% average of recycled content across all packaging by 2025.
Our solution
Brands should embrace the ideas of circular design by exploring PCR labels and utilising responsible packaging solutions.
Our PCR labels are the answer, our white PE labels contain 30% post-consumer recycled plastic from household waste and a minimum of 55% post-industrial recycled waste. Post-industrial recycled waste is an additional source of recycled content from the original manufacturing process.
Our PP PCR white labels contain 87% PCR and our clear label contains 96%.
They have a wide variety of applications including home and personal care brands, pharmaceuticals, rigid food packaging and can easily be recycled in a standard plastic recycling stream.
Labels
There is no better time to act now and explore a recycled alternative.
Contact us today to learn how we can apply PCR labels to fit your business needs.