The Association of Plastic Recyclers
  • APR Design Guide
    APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability

The APR Design® Guide is widely recognized as the authority on how to design plastics packaging for recyclability in North America. Referenced by leading organizations around the world, our comprehensive design guidance and testing protocols allow you to measure each aspect of a package design against industry-accepted criteria.

To get started with this free self-service tool, review the information below to learn how APR classifies package design features. Or, jump straight in: select your package’s primary material.

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How to use the APR Design® Guide

How to use the APR
Design® Guide

The APR Design® Guide closes the gap between package designers and the recycling system. By measuring each aspect of a package design against industry accepted criteria, you can ensure that your product is truly recycling compatible. Here’s what you need to get started.
Is my package APR Preferred?

Is my package APR Preferred?

The APR Design® Guide classifies package design features according to four recyclability categories: APR Design® Guide Preferred; Detrimental to Recycling; Renders Package Non-Recyclable; and Requires Testing. All features of package design must be accounted for to understand how a whole package will perform in the recycling system.
How does APR define

How does APR
define "recyclable"?

APR Preferred package design is a critical component of recyclability. However, recyclability also requires consumer access to recycling collection and that the material have market value. A package is only recyclable if it satisfies all the criteria of the APR Definition.

APR Design® Guide

To get started, select the primary body material of your package.

PET
HDPE
PE Film
PP


Packaging made with the following materials is not recyclable per APR definition and fails to meet the criteria for consumer access to collection established by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides. If the use of these materials cannot be avoided, APR encourages suppliers to use the design guidelines.

PVC
EPS
PS
PLA
 
  • “Plasticsrecycling.org is an extremely valuable site that I consult frequently throughout my work at PepsiCo. The APR Design® Guide provides trusted and comprehensive plastics packaging design guidance, helping ensure the quality and supply of critically important recycled plastics. It’s a tried and true resource that’s continuously updated and improved upon, and a key asset for PepsiCo when designing and testing packaging.”

    Edward Socci, Ph. D.
    R&D Director
    PepsiCo

  • “At Kraft Heinz our delicious products require a wide range of packaging needs. As we remain fully committed to our sustainability initiatives, we take APR Guidance very seriously. Whenever commercializing a new packaging format or understanding improvements required on existing packaging, the APR website is a resource my team & I use frequently.”

    Chris Max
    Sr Principal Engineer Packaging Sustainability
    KraftHeinz Company

  • “The APR Design Guide is a critical resource for our Packaging Engineers and Designers at Unilever. There is no other resource that is inclusive of all packaging components. We reference it frequently to make the right choices for recyclability as we strive to achieve our goal to make our plastic packaging 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. The Design Guide enables us to address recyclability challenges by working collaboratively with industry peers to get into the details and find solutions.”

    Melissa Craig
    Senior Manager, Packaging Sustainability North America
    Unilever

Need help making your packaging recyclable?

Need help making your packaging recyclable?

APR TRAINING SESSIONS

APR offers several on site and remote Training Program options tailored to your company’s unique needs. By meeting one-on-one with your design, sustainability and/or market teams, we can help your company design recycling compatible packaging.

Need to comply with different countries' requirements?

Need to comply with different countries' requirements?

APR GLOBAL DESIGN CATALOG

The APR Global Design Catalog is your all-in-one access to current plastic packaging recyclability guidelines around the world.

APR Recognizes products that help to create a circular economy for plastic packaging

APR Recognizes products that help to create a circular economy for plastic packaging

Do you have an innovative product, process, or technology that enhances plastics recycling? Or, are you looking for third party confirmation that a supplier's product is designed for recycling?
Is your packaging Circular by Design?

Is your packaging Circular by Design?

APR PCR CERTIFICATION

APR PCR Certification provides transparency to support a reliable, robust PCR market. Any plastics reclaimer generating PCR pellet or flake can participate in this program to provide customer assurances in the authenticity of their product.

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