Partners to confirm recyclability of EarthCoating

The partners are to work together to confirm that select grades of paperboard treated with EarthCoating can be commercially recycled as light and heavy print bleached board cuttings, and provide economic and environmental gains as well as opening up the potential for the post-consumer recyclability of barrier-coated packaging.

Smart Planet Technologies said that, traditionally, barrier packaging materials used in forming hot/cold paper cups, ice cream containers and folding cartons coated with 100 percent polyethylene or similar materials are poor candidates for recycling, with a low value if reclaimed and often destined for the landfill.

EarthCoating technology may offer a recyclable option for the approximately two million tons of 100 percent polyethylene-coated boards produced in the US annually. Upon confirmation of EarthCoating’s recyclability, Newark Recycled Paperboard Solutions plans to lead the promotion and acceptance of the materials as recyclable within the recycling industry.

‘EarthCoating holds the potential to address the long-standing challenge in the difficulty of processing paperboards with 100 percent polyethylene in the recycling stream,’ said Johnny Gold, senior vice-president at Newark Recycled Paperboard Solutions.

‘The rates of recycling of folding cartons, paper cups and corrugated materials all stand to benefit from this technology. If the pilot runs prove successful, this will be an exciting development for the recycling industry.’

Chris Tilton, chief technology officer at Smart Planet Technologies, added: ‘EarthCoating is engineered for improved processing in the recycling process. Coated paperboards that traditionally have been undesirable for recyclers can become premium reclaimed materials.

‘We appreciate the willingness of Newark Recycled Paperboard Solutions to evaluate and potentially promote the recyclability of paperboard coated with EarthCoating.’