Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Top 10 Packaging ChallengesFor Recycling in a MRF
REVISITED
8th Canadian Waste Resource SymposiumApril 28th, 2016
The Way
VISIONA World Without Packaging Waste
GOALTo minimize system recovery costs
while maximizing recycling rates andthe value of recovered materials
Optimizing for the Packaging Value ChainNegative
environmentalimpact
Increasingpackaging
material useMinimum material
OverpackagingUnderpackaging
Optimum PackDesign
Minimumenvironmental
impact
Diagram courtesy of Innventia AB
Finding Balance
• Finding balance between consumer preferences/attitudes…- Demand value, performance and sustainability with
NO compromises• … and the role of packaging!
- Must win at shelf, communicate info, protect & preserve,extend shelf life, be convenient & safe to use, supportefficient logistics, sustainable
Product Design & the Value of Packaging
Finding Balance
- One of mostpopular articlesof past months
- More than 2,000page views
- Keep buildingthis momentum
Packaging Innovation Gateway
• What would be recycling impact ofswitching from PET to talc-filledpolypropylene tray and OPS lid forHome Meal Replacement products?
Case Studies From Members
• Recycling impacts of using afull-wrap label on polypropylene tub
• Recycling comparison of metal vs. plasticaerosol containers
7
Sustainable Packaging Award Winners 2015
Top Packaging Challenges Revisited
• Released April 4th, 2016• Input from project
committee of 30+members
• Subject matter expertsacross the packagingvalue chain
• 5 new packaging formats
Top Packaging Challenges Revisited
• Addresses impact area(s) with explanation• Reference latest studies and best practices
PACKAGEDESIGN
SORTINGTECHNOLOGY
END MARKETVALUE
CONSUMERENGAGEMENT
1. Multi-Layer Laminates(mixed plastics resins and foil)
• Not recyclable but consumers put in bin• Manual sorting - goes to residuals for landfill or EfW• Volume impact – 10 pouches = 1 bottle• Flexible laminated packaging demand growing• Need viable recycling end market
10
Top 15 Packaging Challenges in a MRF
2. Compostable Plastic(mainly PLA)
• Not accepted curbside but similar to clear PET / PS• Optical sorters divert to mixed plastics• Manual sorting – similar to PET• PLA no longer sold into beverage bottle market• Focus on recycling NOT on composting
3. Black Plastic Containers• Variable acceptance curbside• Manual sorting to mixed plastics
(Optical sorters not effective)• Other colors preferred or additives – easier to sort
11
4. Full Shrink Wrap Label• Accepted curbside• Full labels can confuse optical sorters• APR Design for Recyclability guidelines
- Label floats in water- Ink does not stain rPET- Partial label preferred
Top 15 Packaging Challenges in a MRF
5. Hot Beverage Polycoated Cups• Variable acceptance curbside• Keep lid separate from cup – rinsed / clean• Manually sorting to polycoated containers (high
value) or mixed paper stream (lower value)• Optical sorters for fibers – then manual sort
12
6. Metallized Tubes• Not accepted curbside but consumers put in bins• Ends up in residuals going to landfill or efw• Enval developing technology to separate foil /
plastic
Top 15 Packaging Challenges in a MRF
7. Single-Serve Hot Beverage Pods• Not accepted curbside but consumers put in bin• Small – contaminates glass stream• Design for dis-assembly, recyclable plastics and
compostable plastics
13
8. Colored Opaque PET• Accepted curbside but contaminates
clear PET• Requires manual sorting to mixed
plastics• Clear PET preferred
Top 15 Packaging Challenges in a MRF
9. Non-PET Clamshells
• Similar to clear PET• Optical sorters send to mixed plastics• APR guidelines – use labels, inks &
adhesives thatcan be easily removed
14
10. Corrugated Tray with Plastic Film• Requires manual separation of materials
otherwise plastic & board goes to landfill• Municipality P&E programs – separate
materials or avoid mixed materials
Top 15 Packaging Challenges in a MRF
*11. Caps on Plastic Bottles
• Mixed messaging to leave caps ON orOFF led to consumer confusion
• Loose caps are more likely to end up aslitter or may contaminate glass if enteringrecycling stream
• End markets exist for PP from the caps
15
*12. Labels on PET Thermoforms• Re-processor issue where ink, adhesive and
label can contaminate rPET flake if it cannot bewashed off properly
• Guidelines and protocol available for theselabels
Top 15 Packaging Challenges in a MRF
*13. Glass Jars and Bottles
• Single stream results in low grade glass that isdifficult to color sort
• Successful deposit programs exist for glassbottles
16
*14. Plastics Bags and Films• Curbside collection is less preferred than take-
back/depot due to higher contamination• Films/bags wrap around mechanical machinery
causing inefficiencies (shutdowns) at a MRF
Top 15 Packaging Challenges in a MRF
*15. Polycoated Containers
• Aseptic and gable top cartons are typicallyreprocessed into high value fiber whethermanually or optically sorted.
• MRFs of different types (single or dual steam,using automated or manual sorting) areencouraged to sort polycoated cartons intotheir own grade for recycling to retaineconomic value
17
Top 15 Packaging Challenges in a MRF
18
PAC Decision Trees & Design Guides
Helpful Links:- PAC NEXT Decision Treeshttp://www.pac.ca/KCSearch.cfm- APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclabilityhttp://www.plasticsrecycling.org
19
Packaging Innovation Gateway Process
Inputscurrent, modified,
new packagedesigns
panel review &assessment
InnovationGateway
Yes No
Maybe
widely recycled re-designalternate approach
action planre-assess
• harmonize material acceptance• alternative collection methods• MRF sorting technology• re-processing solutions
• develop end markets• partial re-design• communication & education
Thank you!
Rachel Morier, BTech, MESProgram Manager, Packaging & Food [email protected]
Learn more at pac.ca!
