Using PCR plastic helps lessen the need for virgin raw resources and promotes environmental sustainability. Let’s learn more about this plastic option!
In response to customer requests for more environmentally friendly packaging, several businesses are switching to PCR plastic. This type of plastic is known to have many positive effects on the environment and sustainable development.
This article will provide a complete guide to this valuable material. Scroll down for more details!
1. What is PCR Plastic?
PCR plastic, or Post-consumer recycled plastic, is a type of material that can be widely recycled and reprocessed into a resin for use in new packaging. By reusing packaging, this method lessens the quantity of plastic waste generated.
Post-consumer recycled materials include the following types:
- RPET (Recycled PET)
PET is a transparent, strong, and lightweight plastic that is frequently used in food containers and bottles for consumer packaging. It keeps its flexibility and durability and is commonly recycled curbside. Its transparency might not, however, entirely transfer to PCR in its second life from virgin resin.
PET bottles may retain contaminants or a yellow color after mechanical recycling. A more recent method that maintains complete transparency and permits infinite recycling is chemical recycling. Both procedures preserve the qualities of virgin resin while giving PET containers a second chance at life.
- RLDPE (Recycled LDPE)
LDPE is a multipurpose polyethylene that may be found in bottles and bags. It’s usually identified as #4 in the recycling system. While its flexible form has to be collected at a specific place, its rigid form may be recycled curbside. RLDPE, which may be used to recreate both forms, can be created by processing recycled LDPE.
- RHDPE (Recycled HDPE)
HDPE is a lightweight, long-lasting polyethylene that is frequently used in consumer packaging across a range of sectors. HDPE plastic packaging is the source of RHDPE, a type of PCR that keeps its robust barrier qualities, weight, and durability. It is designated as #2 in the recycling system and is readily recyclable curbside. However, processing might cause tiny contaminants to show up in PCR containers.
- RPP (Recycled PP)
Compared to other forms of plastic, PP is not as commonly recycled. It is frequently utilized for caps and closures and is referred to as #5 in the recycling system. But now that more facilities can recycle PP, giving this plastic a second chance at life and allowing it to be utilized to recreate bottles and closures.
2. Benefits of PCR Plastic
PCR plastic brings lots of benefits, including:
- Waste reduction
Post-consumer recycled plastic helps divert waste from landfills. Through the use of easily accessible materials rather than exploitation of raw resources for new plastic, this technique reduces waste throughout the product path and has a positive, long-lasting impact.
- Energy conservation
Compared to making new plastic packaging, using post-consumer recycled materials greatly lowers processing energy. Because less energy is needed for the extraction, transportation, and processing of fossil fuels, this technology reduces carbon emissions.
- Environmental impact
PCR plastic has several positive effects on the environment, such as lowering greenhouse gas emissions, saving natural resources, and decreasing landfills. It removes waste from landfills, where chemicals might seep in and contaminate water sources and water systems again. Furthermore, the production of virgin resin may be replaced with recycled plastic, which lowers greenhouse gas emissions and the need for fossil fuels.
- Enhanced brand image
Concern over the effects of the things they buy on the environment is rising among consumers. By using PCR packaging, brands may attract eco-sensitive customers and position themselves as ecologically responsible.
3. PCR Plastic Manufacturing Process
The PCR plastic manufacturing process consists of 6 steps:
- Collecting: Plastic waste is collected from various sources, such as curbside bins or recycling programs.
- Sorting: Plastic is arranged according to color and type.
- Cleaning: This process is to remove impurities like labels, caps, and food residue.
- Shredding: These plastics are then shredded into small pieces or flakes.
- Melting and reprocessing: Pellets or resin are created by melting and reprocessing shredded plastic.
- Reheating, molding, and forming: These processes are used accordingly to develop new plastic containers.
4. Applications of PCR Plastic
The use of post-consumer recycled materials is getting more and more popular. You can find their applications in:
- Food and beverage
Single-use products like cartons and disposable cutlery are popular in the food and beverage sector. In order to reduce waste, sustainable alternatives like PCR packaging are used more and more often. PCR ensures the safety and hygienic conditions of consumable products by preserving their original plastic barrier qualities in both rigid packaging, such as beverage bottles, and flexible packaging, such as food pouches.
- Personal care and cosmetics
A lot of beauty and personal care companies are adopting sustainable techniques, such as post-consumer packaging, to make their goods more appealing. In order to value consumer perception through marketing and design, post-consumer recycled plastic is used for cosmetic and personal care items such as shampoos, creams, lipsticks, and mascara.
- Pharmaceutical and nutraceutical
In the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry, product safety is the primary concern, and packaging functionality takes precedence over design. Similar packaging is used in the industry, and because of its replicable barrier qualities, it may be transformed into PCR alternatives. PCR plastic is used in jars for powders and other nutraceutical items, and packer bottles for gummies and capsules.
- Chemicals
For industrial and home chemicals, PCR packaging is a strong and protective choice that offers the barrier qualities required for both environmental preservation and product safety. It provides better performance than virgin resin and is mostly used for pails. The best proportion of PRC is 30–50% to preserve packing integrity.
5. How does PCR plastic compare to other types of sustainable plastic?
Post-consumer recycled materials have their pros and cons when compared to different kinds of sustainable plastics.
For example, bioplastics, made from renewable materials, may perform better than PCR plastic. Nevertheless, there are issues with their present life cycle, such as a sustainable supply and disposal that is separate from the recycling stream. Bioplastics are designated as #7 under the Other category, which is what most recycling facilities would not take. In contrast, post-consumer recycled plastic may be recycled more than once within its plastic category.
On the other hand, biodegradable packaging is known to have a better environmental impact than PCR plastic. However, it’s just in case that biodegradables can break down properly and safely. Otherwise, it may stay in the environment and cause harmful effects. In this case, post-consumer recycled materials can be a better choice.
6. Common questions about PCR plastic
- Which PCR Plastics are safe to use with food?
FDA-approved post-consumer recycled plastic includes food-grade recycled PET and HDPE.
- What are the disadvantages of post-consumer recycled plastic?
Though it has no effect on their longevity or usefulness, reheating PCR plastics can change their color and clarity. Because the post-consumer resin is dark, manufacturers can avoid utilizing it. Besides, the quantity of recycled plastics affects production costs. Therefore, the advantages of PCR plastic rely on consumer recycling.
7. Conclusion
Every item of plastic that we use on a daily basis ends up in the environment. Closed-loop product life cycles and environmentally friendly alternatives are being investigated as ways to reduce plastic pollution. The use of PCR plastic as a solution has grown in acceptance. Nonetheless, creative approaches are required to sustain recycling programs and infrastructure. Although the entire potential of post-consumer recycled plastic is yet unknown, several businesses are adopting it, making the material more and more popular.
If you pursue a sustainable future for your business, consider using bioplastic compounds from Eup Egypt.
Our product (BioNEXT) is produced to be used in various aspects, including automotive & transport, construction, fibers, electronics, household appliances, and especially food packaging. It can be decomposable within 12 months after use. We guarantee that the end product passes strict quality control management to meet all the requirements.
Besides, we boast a range of bio fillers that are cost-effective material solutions for bioplastic products. This biodegradable material can increase the final product’s glossiness, transparency, and stiffness. It can act as an anti-block and slipping agent in blown film.
Contact EuP Egypt for more details!
