Avery Dennison’s film portfolio receives APR recognition

Following the earlier APR recognition of the Avery Dennison Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) portfolio, the company becomes the first label manufacturer to offer a complete range of films for brands and converters seeking to enhance the recyclability of rigid HDPE and the first to offer APR recognized films for flexible PE plastics.

The APR Critical Guidance is a comprehensive laboratory-scale protocol used to assess packaging innovations' compatibility with reclamation systems. The APR released Critical Guidance for both the HDPE and PE recycling streams in 2020. The recognition of Avery Dennison films by APR validates that the labels stay with the container without impacting the recycling process.

The APR recognition of direct thermal BOPP films for PE recycling creates opportunities for users of Avery Dennison labels on flexible PE plastics to enhance sustainability in growing markets such as e-commerce while meeting consumer preferences for easily recyclable packaging.

‘Recyclability of e-commerce packaging has become a significant issue for consumers,’ said Tina Hart, vice president of strategic innovation at Avery Dennison. ‘This recognition helps companies address that challenge with recyclable labeling options for products being shipped in flexible PE packaging.’

Converters and brands seeking a more sustainable labeling solution for products packaged in HDPE plastics will find that Avery Dennison’s clear and white MDO films, including Global MDO and Global CO-EX products and PE films, are now APR recognized. This enables home and personal care brands and other products packaged in HDPE plastic to simplify recycling for their customers while allowing increased yields for plastic recyclers.

‘Having a full family of APR-recognized films for HDPE containers represents a significant development for plastic recyclers,’ added Scott Saunders, GM at KW Plastics, one of the largest plastic recyclers. ‘Using these films will allow us to increase the percentage of plastic we can recycle.’§https://www.labelsandlabeling.com/news/industry-updates/avery-dennison-f...

‘We are committed to continuing to advance the circularity of our products and those of our customers. This announcement that our full film portfolio has been APR recognized represents a major milestone in our progress toward that goal. It sets a new standard for the industry,’ concluded Hart.