APR test method for recyclable labels in Canada

FINAT has been informed by the TLMI Board of Directors that there have been some new developments in the recycling protocols of PET thermoformed plastic packaging in the Canadian market. Below, please find the brief sent out by TLMI to its members, as several of the major retailers behind this initiative have a sizable share in the American marketplace as well.

Canadian retailers must pay a stewardship fee for selling non-recyclable plastic packaging on their shelves. This program was established in an effort to encourage the development of fully recyclable plastic packaging. Currently, PET thermoformed packaging is not recyclable if the package contains a pressure sensitive label. While PET thermoformed plastic packaging is recyclable by itself, pressure sensitive labels can interfere with PET flake reprocessing, if the adhesive from the label construction is not entirely removed from the flake itself.

A consortium of five major Canadian retailers/grocery chains have come together with the objective of specifying and purchasing labels that do not interfere with the PET thermoform recycling process. These entities include the following:

·         Loblaws
·         Safeway
·         Metro
·         Sobey's
·         Walmart

In order to be compatible with the PET thermoformed packaging recycling process, the label's adhesive must be water soluble or dispersible at a high pH and temperature (88°C). If not removed, the adhesives may leave black specs in the recycled flake making it unsuitable for multiple uses downstream. The APR (Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers) has published a test method for recyclable labels with the objective of creating a specification for recycling compatible labels for PET thermoformed clamshells. The testing method is based on an existing protocol treatment utilized for recycling PET bottles also published by APR The testing method was approved and deemed transferable to PET thermoformed products in February. For link below will take you to detailed information outlining APR's testing methodology:

http://www.plasticsrecycling.org/images/stories/doc/petthermoformtestadhesiveslabels.pdf

APR intends to begin registering the first label construction candidates in the coming weeks. Registration will cost $500 per product. Once registered, the product will then be tested by an independent laboratory in the United States, utilizing the APR testing protocol. APR's goal is to begin testing products in July with each sample costing $3,500-$5,000 to test. The label constructions that pass the test will be listed on APPR's website as approved for use on recyclable PET thermoformed packaging.