There is an emphasis throughout the United States on increasing the uses of post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, including plastic. FDA is involved when industry collects used polymeric materials (usually food containers) and proposes to recycle these materials to make new food containers. FDA's main safety concerns with the use of PCR plastic materials in food-contact articles are: 1) that contaminants from the PCR material may appear in the final food-contact product made from the recycled material, 2) that PCR material may not be regulated for food-contact use may be incorporated into food-contact article, and 3) that adjuvants in the PCR plastic may not comply with the regulations for food-contact use. To address these concerns, FDA considers each proposed use of recycled plastic on a case-by-case basis and issues informal advice as to whether the recycling process is expected to produce PCR plastic of suitable purity for food-contact applications. FDA has prepared a document entitled Guidance for Industry - Use of Recycled Plastics in Food Packaging: Chemistry Considerations that will assist manufacturers of food packaging in evaluating processes for PCR plastic into food packaging.

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If a manufacturer would like FDA to consider the use of recycled plastic for a food-contact application, the following information should be submitted:

1. A complete description of the recycling process, including a description of the source of the PCR plastic and a description of any source controls in place intended to ensure that only plastic that initially complied with the applicable regulations is recycled. Also, a description of any steps that are taken to ensure that the recyclable plastic is not contaminated at some point, either before collection for recycling, or during the recycling process.
2. The results of any tests performed to show that the recycling process removes possible incidental contaminants. For use of the recycled material as a substitute for plastic made from virgin materials, it would be necessary to either show that there has been no possibility of contamination with substances other than food, such as strict source control on the input material, or to demonstrate the cleaning efficiency of the recycling process through surrogate contaminant testing. If appropriate, additional migration testing or migration modeling may be conducted to show that the recycling process successfully removes possible incidental contaminants to a level that does not allow each contaminant to migrate from recycled plastic to food that would result in a dietary concentration (DC) exceeding 0.5 ppb, which FDA equates to a negligible exposure level for the use of recycled plastics for food packaging. However, surrogate contaminant testing is no longer considered necessary to demonstrate that PCR polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) produced by a tertiary recycling process is suitable for food-contact use. Because FDA has determined that tertiary recycling processes produce PCR-PET or PCR-PEN of suitable purity for food-contact use, the Agency no longer evaluates tertiary recycling processes for PCR-PET or PCR-PEN or issues individual opinion letters for those processes. 
3. A description of the proposed conditions of use of the plastic (e.g., information on intended temperature of use, type of food with which the plastic will come into contact, the duration of the contact, and whether the food-contact plastic will be for repeated or single-use applications.)

Questions pertaining to the use of recycled plastics in food packaging should be directed to the Office of Food Additive Safety ().

Click the launch button below to access a list of submissions for which FDA issued a favorable opinion on the suitability of a specific process for producing post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic to be used in the manufacturing of food-contact articles.

Recycled Plastics Database

What Is PCR Plastic Packaging And How to Cut PCR

Read about Post-Consumer recycled resin (PCR)

Post-consumer recycled (PCR) packaging is materials such as metals, cardboard, plastic, and wood that consumers have used and discarded.

Read also a blog post about biodegradable, bio-based, compostable plastics here.

Content:

1. About recycled plastic in packaging
2. How is PCR film different from other types of plastics
3. The benefits of PCR packaging
4. PCR in modern manufacturing
5. Slitting and cutting PCR

About recycled plastic in packaging

Flexible packaging providers continue to focus on sustainability, reducing waste, and energy efficiency. Sustainability is also becoming a competitive advantage. Recyclable and compostable packaging are the two most common types of sustainable packaging. However, there is a third type beginning to shake the plastic film manufacturing world: post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic film.

Pre-consumer recycled plastics has for a long time been taken care of by flexible packaging manufacturers. Recycling is a good business that also helps reduce the carbon footprint. This loop now includes the consumer, as plastics can be recycled and recycled. So, the more you recycle those milk jugs and bottles, the more PCR material is available and the less need there is for virgin petroleum-based plastic.

Many brands have begun to use more PCR packaging over time, recognizing the environmental implications of plastic packaging and with the development of recycling technology. Over time, there have also been more conscious buyers and environmental friendliness requirements adopted by some states. The whole world realized the importance of recycling and reusing materials. With its growing popularity, recycled plastic packaging is being used more often than ever, and in the near future it may become an important part of the packaging strategy of manufacturing companies.

For example, the leading plastic film and packaging company Trioworld says it has developed a new multi-layer, recyclable, food contact labeled Loop packaging that contains recycled plastic. The material Loop can contain up to 80% recycled PCR and is 100% recyclable. Trioworld launched the first post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic film, approved for frozen food packaging, together with Lidl Sweden in May . [1]

One of the goals of the plastics industry is to "close the loop," that is, to recycle and reuse in the production of products without losing material, thus using less raw material and reducing waste.

How is PCR film different from other types of plastics?

Recycled plastic is less wasteful than new plastic. New plastic mostly comes from non-renewable fossil fuels like petroleum, which are hard on the environment [2]. By contrast, recycled plastics require no “virgin” petroleum.

Post-consumer recycled plastic film is recyclable, as the film can be processed and used again as raw materials. Still it is very dependent on the consumer’s ability and knowledge to recycle materials.

PCR resin includes plastics such as PET, HDPE and PP, all of which are popular recyclable plastic options for product packaging. LDPE, PS, PP usually are not recycled because these types of plastics are more difficult and expensive to process.

Recycling of different plastic types

Recycling facilities collect these materials and sell them to recycling and recovery companies. They will melt the post consumer recycled plastics down into pellets. PCR pellets can then be molded into films of plastic resin that can be used in new products and packaging.

The benefits of PCR packaging

Most eco-friendly packaging is good for the environment. But PCR plastic film has some specific benefits that are worth noting. In general, PCR films are developed into stand-up pouches, lay-flat pouches, and rollstock. Most industries can utilize this type of packaging.

Post-consumer recycled film gives the same level of protection, barrier performance, and strength as regular plastic film. The film will protect your product from oxygen, light, and gases.

Want more information on Is PCR Plastic Recyclable? Feel free to contact us.

From a consumer point of view, there are advantages with PCR films, PCR packaging appeals to eco-conscious consumers. In fact, research shows that 70 percent of millennials prioritize this issue when purchasing products. 

When you use PCR packaging, you automatically make your product more appealing to consumers.

Finally, PCR is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, avoid landfills, and greenwash your business. In addition, it's a great option for companies and brands to offer a sustainable solution for consumers.

PCR in modern manufacturing

10 years ago, PCR was used for garbage bags. But with consumer minds shifting in favor of PCR flexible film manufactures has step by step increased the PCR percentage. First 30% was the goal, followed by 60%. The target for a film manufacturer today should be 80%.

Now this works not just for garbage bags. Packaging for food and medical products can also be filled with PCR, as a laminated film can protect the PCR from getting in contact with the product. Basically, two layers of virgin film encapsulate the PCR, making it applicable for medical usage. The quality of printing on PCR has significantly improved.

Slitting and cutting PCR

Sollex has many customers who use PCR in their production process. Blades recommended for slitting or cutting PCR film are the slitting blades 5Z, 5K, 2-013-K, and 2-013-X. 5Z are mostly used when cutting the wrapping stretch plastic film. The K and X coatings are used when cutting film with print, as the color and additives are a tougher challenge for the blade.

Also the tests were conducted for cutting three-layer white agricultural plastic LDPE film with PCR 30% + PIR 6% with a thickness of 21 mi, which showed that Sollex blades 4-60-030-K and 4-60-030-Z showed excellent durability and fine cutting edges. For cutting pellets, we strongly recommend the L24 blade. If you need help slitting or cutting PCR film, we would be happy to support you. 

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Sollex is a Swedish supplier of industrial knives and machine blades! We have cutting products with cutting-edge technology and performance that improve manufacturing and converting processes and solve problems. With the right knives and blades, you can get simplified maintenance, time savings, and an improved end product.

You are welcome to contact us with your questions:

Company name: Sollex AB

Website: https://www.sollex.com
Customer service and orders: 
: +–15 75 00
Address: Box , 200 71, Malmö, Sweden

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Sources: 

[1] Website:https://www.mynewsdesk.com/tri...

[2] What Are PCR Plastics And How Are They Used? : O.Berk Company

[3] Website:https://www.nationalgeographic...

[4] National Overview: Facts and Figures on Materials, Wastes and Recycling | US EPA

[5] What to Know About Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Packaging

[6] All About PCR: Post-Consumer Recycled Material | Seventh Generation

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