Why it’s time to start using more PCR resin

From 2011 to 2018, the percentage of consumers who said they would be willing to pay more for sustainable products grew from 49% to 57%. We are addressing this demand by enhancing the sustainability profile of Amcor packaging. One of the ways to do this is by increasing the amount of PCR content in Amcor’s packaging, specifically in rigid packaging made from poly ethylene terephthalate (PET).

It’s been exciting to work with our customers on efforts to drive up PCR in their packaging. Keep reading to discover more about those brands and the benefits of using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) in packaging.

The benefits of using rPET packaging

We’ve seen brands state their intent to increase use of recycled plastics, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and address the plastic waste issue in response to growing consumer concern about the environment. Using food grade rPET in the categories we serve replaces the use of virgin resin and lowers the greenhouse gas emissions per unit of package. It also gives value to plastic waste and helps promote its reuse into other food grade products.

Brands are using more recycled content with their current packaging and innovating new products within entire segments, such as beverage, food, home and personal care, that will launch in rPET packaging specifically designed to be more sustainable

Amcor has worked with well-known brands to develop packages that use up to 100% rPET across several segments and product categories. Here’s a look at three of them:

Expanding recycled content in challenging segments

Post-consumer recycled PET is not a drop in, equivalent material to virgin PET and collecting enough high quality, local recyclables to manufacture food grade rPET can be challenging. As a result, this creates a variation in the characteristics of the rPET which can lead to diminished bottle performance and color, especially when used at high levels (>50%). At Amcor, we have been developing the capability to address these challenges, especially in high performance containers such as those in isotonic, tea, juice, and dairy segments.

Related read: How innovation is enhancing packaging in your home, every day

Innovating rPET packaging for isotonic, tea and juice products

Isotonic, tea, and juice products are commonly filled by a process known as hot fill. Because of the high temperatures, products using this fill process can be preservative free, an added advantage for consumers. However, the product containers must withstand high temperatures during filling and compensate for the vacuum produced when cooling.

High percentages of rPET in the resin could change the material properties and affect filling process resulting in bottle structure shrinkage and deformation. As a result, lightweight, hot fill containers with a high percentage of rPET are not common. At Amcor, we have cutting edge design, process, and light weighting technology that allows us to manufacture hot fill packages with high levels of rPET, a unique capability in isotonic, tea, and juice markets.

Innovating rPET packaging for dairy products

White milk and fluid dairy products, such as yogurt-based drinks, are light sensitive and must be protected in opaque, white containers to preserve taste and nutrients. Typically, these products are filled by a process known as aseptic filling. This allows the dairy products to be shelf stable, an advantage in Latin American markets where distribution channels are often non-refrigerated.

However, using high percentages of rPET in the resin can affect the white color and protective qualities of the bottle. At Amcor, we have demonstrated that we can manufacture a fluid dairy container with 100% rPET without trade-offs in performance and color. Additionally, we actively partner with our local PCR suppliers to promote their collection and recycling to other value-added products such as strapping.

The increased use of rPET in our packaging is part of the 2025 Pledge and Global Commitment Amcor has made through the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the United Nations Environment Program. The Global Commitment includes developing all our packaging to be recyclable or reusable by 2025 and work with others to drive consistency greater worldwide recycling of packaging.

To find out how you can make your packaging more sustainable, get in touch with Carlos Trubacz.