The term post-industrial recycled plastic refers to plastic materials discarded in industrial processes that do not reach the market for final consumer sale. This includes production waste, cut-offs, or scraps from manufacturers using plastic in their production processes.
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Post-industrial plastic is typically of fairly good quality and can be recycled and reused for the same production process or for the creation of new plastic products. By recycling this type of plastic and reintegrating it into the same transformation process, it prevents it from ending up in landfills and contributes to a more sustainable use of resources.
Examples of post-industrial plastic may include manufacturing waste from packaging such as bottles and jerrycans, pipe waste, electronic components, among others. These waste materials are collected, sorted, and processed by a waste manager to give them a new purpose, avoiding the use of virgin plastic and reducing environmental impact.
Post-consumer recycled plastic, or PCR, refers to plastic that has been collected, sorted, and processed to be reused after its life as a consumer product. This means the plastic has been used by consumers and then recycled for subsequent use in manufacturing new products. Using post-consumer recycled plastic to manufacture new products helps reduce the amount of plastic waste in landfills and conserves the natural resources used in virgin plastic production.
Reduction of plastic waste: Using post-consumer recycled plastic allows giving new life to plastic waste, preventing it from accumulating in landfills or polluting the environment.
Saving natural resources: Using recycled plastic reduces the need to extract and process virgin raw materials, leading to energy and water savings.
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions: The manufacturing process of post-consumer plastic appears to generate fewer CO2 emissions compared to virgin plastic production.
Increased environmental awareness: Using recycled plastic packaging can help promote environmental awareness among consumers and encourage a circular economy.
Reduced quality and durability: In some cases, recycled plastic may have lower quality and durability than virgin plastic, affecting the lifespan of the packaging.
Residual contamination: Post-consumer recycled plastic, obtained through mechanical recycling, may contain traces of contaminants acquired during its original use, affecting the safety or quality of the final product.
Higher cost: The collection, sorting, and recycling process of post-consumer plastic can be more expensive than virgin plastic production, potentially impacting the final packaging price.
Technical limitations: Some applications of plastic packaging, especially those requiring high transparency or strength, may face technical limitations when using recycled plastic.
Both post-industrial and post-consumer recycled plastic must be homologated for use in the manufacturing of new packaging. Homologating recycled plastic involves subjecting it to tests and analyses to ensure it meets the necessary quality and safety requirements for use in packaging.
This ensures that recycled plastic does not contain hazardous substances and has the proper mechanical properties to fulfill its function as packaging. Homologation is also crucial to guarantee the traceability of recycled materials and promote transparency in the recycling process.
There is no single global standard for homologating recycled plastic. Many countries have regulations and standards related to recycling and waste management, including post-consumer plastic. These standards may vary depending on the country and its environmental legislation.
The European standard specifying the necessary procedures for the traceability of recycled plastics is UNE-EN . This standard provides the basis for calculating the recycled content of a product: "Recycled plastics. Traceability and assessment of conformity for recycled plastics and recycled content." It establishes requirements and test methods for recycled plastics from municipal solid waste and mechanical recycling of plastic packaging, enabling them to be used in the manufacturing of non-food products.
UNE-EN is a European standard that sets requirements and test methods for recycled plastics intended for use in manufactured products. Its goal is to ensure that recycled plastics have suitable properties for use in products, complying with quality and safety standards.
The standard establishes criteria for classifying recycled plastics into different categories based on their origin, recycling processes, and technical characteristics. It also sets minimum quality requirements for these recycled plastics, including physical, mechanical, and thermal properties.
Additionally, it defines the testing methods that should be used to determine the properties of recycled plastics, including tests for strength, hardness, density, thermal stability, among others.
Its importance lies in standardizing the requirements and test methods for recycled plastic used in plastic products. It is crucial for promoting the use of recycled plastic as an alternative that supports sustainability, reduces the environmental impact of plastic waste, and fosters a circular economy.
The UNE-EN standard establishes quality and safety criteria to ensure that recycled plastic meets the technical and health requirements necessary for its use in plastic products. This is essential to ensure that products made with recycled plastic are safe for users and comply with established technical specifications.
In conclusion, the homologation of recycled plastic, whether post-industrial or post-consumer, plays a fundamental role in the transition to a circular and sustainable economy. The UNE-EN standard serves as an essential pillar by setting rigorous criteria for the quality and safety of recycled plastics used in the manufacturing of new products.
This standard not only contributes to reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste but also promotes environmental awareness and encourages the adoption of more responsible practices in plastic material management. Adhering to these standards promotes the creation of more sustainable packaging, mitigating the negative effects of plastic on the environment and moving towards a greener future.
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Sustainability has many definitions, labels, and requirements in today’s world. It can be difficult for a business to stay current and discern what suits its needs, customers, and the environment.
Recently, there has been an increase in post-industrial and post-consumer recycled content used in manufacturing. Both types of recycled content are available in various materials, from plastic and paper to cans and clothing. Using recycled content in products diverts waste from landfills, conserves natural resources, lowers carbon emissions, saves energy, and promotes the circular economy. Purchasing recycled content products for your business helps align your brand with eco-conscious consumers’ needs while stimulating further innovation in the waste reduction market. However, as a business owner, there are other things to consider, like product function, quality, customer satisfaction and cost. Is all recycled content the same, and which is best suited for your business?
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In this blog, we will examine two of the most popular types of recycled material: post-industrial and post-consumer. Both post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content can be found in all types of products and materials, from plastic to paper to cans to clothing. The major difference between these two types of content is where the material is sourced. Let’s take a closer look.
Post-industrial recycled content (PIR) is also known as pre-consumer recycled content (PCC). This type of recycled content comes from the excess trim, scraps, or defective products collected during the initial manufacturing process.
PIR/PCC never reaches consumers before being recycled. Instead, it stays within the manufacturing facility and is reworked or sold off to make additional products.
Some argue that PIR is technically not recycled waste because it does not go through the “recycling process” and believe manufacturers will use the excess scraps from production runs regardless because they have monetary value. However, PIR/PCC retains a higher purity level due to the controlled environment in which waste is captured, making it an excellent candidate for products requiring high levels of regulation. In the end, others contend that any waste diverted from a landfill that serves a purpose seems like a win for sustainability.
+ PIR/PCC is more readily available
+ Higher purity level of content due to a controlled environment
+ Popular for products requiring high levels of control
PCR, or post-consumer recycled content, comes from the waste consumers recycle. Discarded products (e.g., glass, plastic, paper, aluminum) are diverted from landfills and collected through established recycling programs. The materials are reprocessed (shredded, melted, etc.), becoming raw materials available to create new products.
PCR sources vary based on the local waste stream and are more prone to contamination due to product use and collection. Additional treatment like sorting and cleaning is sometimes necessary to ensure quality. However, using PCR ranks high for sustainability not only because its source comes from consumed products. Its collection process creates sustainable consumer behavior and a market for recycled items, resulting in economic benefits like job creation and keeping recycling on shore. Several states have passed laws requiring a minimum percentage of PCR in certain products.
+ PCR meets state regulatory compliance
+ PCR is critical to the circular economy due to the ability to encourage sustainable behavior, create market demand for recycled content, create jobs, and keep recycling on shore
+ PCR uses end-of-life products that consumers recycle
Sometimes, a product will not specify what type of content it contains. “Recycled Content” is a catch-all phrase and can mean one or a combination of pre- and post-consumer recycled content.
Usually, if a product has a percentage of post-consumer recycled content (PCR), it is specified somewhere. PCR is known for its environmental impact and is a product and packaging requirement in some states. Even though the term recycled content (RC) lacks transparency, it still contributes to some waste diversion. It is important to note that a ” recyclable ” product is not necessarily made from recycled materials.
+ Contributes to diverting some waste from a landfill
As we have seen, PCR and PIR/PCC share many of the same benefits, most notably diverting waste from landfills. So which one is more sustainable? PCR is the front runner as it is critical to the circular economy and involves products recycled by the public.
Some states have passed legislation requiring post-consumer content (vs. pre-consumer recycled content). However, pre-consumer recycled content still holds an essential role in this space.
Despite manufacturers’ efforts to utilize their excess waste, approximately 7.6 billion tons of industrial solid waste is generated and disposed of in American industrial facilities each year. (1)
The answer lies in the intended use and requirements for the product. Products made from recycled content will only achieve true sustainability if they are also of comparable quality to their virgin counterparts. Creating a poor-quality item out of recycled content to state sustainability is not beneficial. The content itself is not the only factor to consider.
As the world becomes more eco-conscious and states pass legislation, market demand increases, driving innovation. New Jersey recently passed a law requiring manufacturers to meet minimum recycled content requirements for regulated containers and packaging products sold or offered for sale in New Jersey.
California is looking to amend its plastic bag ban to require paper bags (not exempt) to be made from 100% post-consumer recycled content. Many other states and municipalities nationwide have already started to require the use of PCR content in products sold.
A reader had a good question, and they're probably not alone in their confusion. They write: "I’m relatively new to the green product scene and have a question that might seem eco-elementary but has never really been explained to me. What’s the difference between pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled content? Is something — a roll of toilet paper, for instance — made from post-consumer recycled content better for the environment than the other, or vice versa? I kind of get the gist of it — pre-consumer waste is waste that never made it to a consumer — right? — but was hoping for a bit of clarification."
So what's the deal? The basic difference between products made entirely or partially from pre- and post-consumer recycled content is somewhat “eco-elementary." But the thing is, a lot of us with good, green intentions just grab for anything with the “R” word on the label without really stopping to think about what “kind” of recycled that roll of toilet paper, is.
With pre- and post-consumer, it’s as simple as one would think. When a product is made from pre-consumer recycled content, it’s made from manufacturer waste that never actually made it to the consumer for one reason or another: scraps, rejects, trimmings—the stuff that ends up on the factory floor and is repurposed into something new rather than trashed.
A product made from post-consumer content is made from waste that’s been used by a consumer, disposed of, and diverted from landfills—stuff like the aluminum cans and newspapers that you place in your recycling bin for pick-up.
Then there are “recycled content” products without either “PC” affix. This is just a catchall phrase. Something labeled as being made from recycled content could contain either pre- or post-consumer waste or a combination of the two. Generally, I’ve found that when a product contains high levels of post-consumer waste, it’s specified as so instead of generalized as being plan ol’ recycled.
Why’s that? Because post-consumer recycled content is considered to have greater eco-benefits than pre-consumer recycled content. Both are great, don’t get me wrong, but if you’re standing at the grocery store mulling over two rolls of recycled content TP, one containing 80 percent pre-consumer content and another containing 80 percent post-consumer content, we would go for the latter. Better yet, opt for a brand that’s 100 percent recycled with a significant amount of it being post-consumer.
The reason? Post-consumer waste is preferable because it’s less likely to end up in a landfill than pre-consumer waste given that manufacturers have long been keen on reusing and repurposing scrap materials in various ways. Some would say that pre-consumer recycled content isn’t even truly recycled at all because the waste involved isn’t even truly waste. The environmental stakes are higher with post-consumer waste because if not properly recycled, the chances that it would end up clogging a landfill are greater.
There's a good argument that both pre- and post-consumer recycled content products are a heck of a lot better than the zero-recycled content products, but if you’re looking to make a greener choice, post-consumer recycled it is.
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