Association of Plastic Recyclers

How do companies know whether or not their plastic products and packaging are recyclable? The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is here to help! 

APR is an international nonprofit that develops in-depth guides and conducts personalized training to help manufacturers all around the world design recyclable plastic. In fact, it’s the only North American-based nonprofit that focuses exclusively on plastic recyclability. Its free Design Guide recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and received some significant cosmetic upgrades! Using this guide, designers can easily filter through the different materials used at their facilities–click here to explore it.

Not only does APR understand the nitty-gritty of what makes plastic recycling possible, but they also work to bolster the plastics recycling industry as a whole, especially when it comes to the plastics we use every day. APR understands that not enough people are recycling plastics at home, which includes water bottles, plastic film, and other products. APR actively encourages its clients to send positive messages about recycling to their customers and constituents so that they feel empowered to recycle the plastics they use at home. 

APR supports and endorses state and territory-based policies that increase the supply and demand of post-consumer recycled plastic. North American laws that the APR supports often relate to either mandated recycled content (in which manufacturers are required to include some percentage of recycled content within their products) or extended producer responsibility (ensuring that manufacturers are held accountable for recycling their plastic waste). 

Locally, APR has conducted recycling-related training at Michigan State University's School of Packaging to inspire sustainability within our next generation of packaging engineers. APR is a Recycle, Michigan partner because they understand that our great state is an important piece of the puzzle that APR is working to solve to establish worldwide, consistent, and sustainable plastic recycling.