What is PCR in the plastic industry?

PCR is short for post-consumer recycled. PCR products are made from recycled plastic from discarded materials from households, commercial, industrial and institutional facilities. Post-consumer waste is the world&#;s largest waste stream. Therefore we are constantly looking for ways to reduce the size of this stream. In order to make PCR plastics, waste is converted into raw materials. This makes it a very eco-friendly solution. In the following article we answer frequently asked questions about this material.

Goto EcoPlas to know more.

How is PCR plastic made?

The production of PCR plastics starts with the collection of post-consumer waste. Through specialised sorting (manual or otherwise), thorough cleaning and reheating and grinding, the PCR granule is produced. This granulate is then used to make new products.

What is the difference regarding other recycling streams?

Another recycling stream is PIR: Post Industrial Recycle of Regrind. This uses post-industrial waste. This is waste generated in the production process of products. This can be material that ended up on the factory floor or material with a production error. Many companies already recycle their own stream of post-industrial waste, making this material unavailable to the free market.

Post-consumer waste, on the other hand, originates at the end user. Examples include paper waste, green waste and plastic packaging that the consumer throws away. This is not yet recycled on a large scale because the loop is larger, which increases the uncertainty in terms of purity and uniformity of the material. As it is the largest waste stream, it is precisely here that most environmental gains can be made.

What is the advantage of PCR plastic over virgin plastic?

Reuse of plastic that has already been made is not only a cost-effective process, but also a waste reduction process. In addition, processing the used plastic requires less water, less fossil fuels and less energy. The use of PCR also has indirect benefits. All the benefits are listed below:

• Less use of fossil resources
• Reduction of CO2 emissions up to 85%
• Less water consumption
• Less energy consumption
• Reduction of the amount of waste
• Can be recycled after use
• It shows consumers that brand owners are concerned about the impact of their plastic packaging on the environment
• Helps to create a circular economy

What are the disadvantages of PCR?

Of course, the material also has disadvantages. For example, PCR plastic may not (yet) be used in the food industry, due to the strict regulations surrounding food safety. Because the course of the material is large, the uncertainty in terms of purity and uniformity of the material increases. As a result, it may also be unclear, for example, whether the material contains harmful substances.

It is also not yet possible to obtain UN approval. This is because practice is still ahead of the legislation. In order to obtain a UN approval, raw material suppliers must be able to give a certain guarantee, which is then laid down in the legislation. Applications for this have already been submitted in Brussels by major parties such as Suez. See question 4.a for more information on UN approval.

Furthermore, some colours of PCR plastic are difficult to make because the material is not completely transparent. Particularly light, transparent and pastel colours are difficult. Colours from the middle range are always possible. If the waste is very well separated manually, even transparent and light colours are possible.

What is a UN approval?

A packaging that has a UN approval means that the packaging has been tested and certified under the supervision of national authorities. The UN approval consists of a number of tests, including air pressure, drop and stacking tests. The approval is based on a specific packaging composition, which includes the closure, type of tape and the absorption material used. Approved packaging is given a UN mark which indicates the type of packaging, packaging group, maximum weight or air pressure, liquid or solid marking, year of production and registration number. The UN marking must always be clearly visible and in a certain size on the packaging at all times.

Which PCR plastic products do we offer?

We already produce clear shrink films with 50% PCR with a thickness of 35my, potting soil films with even 80% PCR from REKS and transparent and translucent collection bags of up to 99% PCR.

Both are made from recycled LDPE/HDPE, only with PCR it is a given that it comes from post-consumer waste. In contrast to rLDPE/rHDPE, where it may also be made from post-industrial waste, for example. Post-industrial waste is already recycled by many companies. This is not always the case for post-consumer waste.

These are just examples of the possibilities with our PCR material. For each situation and application we can, in consultation with the client, look at the opportunities that exist in terms of applicability.

Where does our PCR come from?

The waste streams that are processed into new material come from all over Europe. Current capacity is 10,000 tonnes per year with the aim of doubling this by the end of . Whereas previously these waste flows were shipped in huge quantities from Europe to Asia, or were processed to lower quality (less homogeneous) regranulate within Europe, our REKS recycling plant now offers an answer to the increased export problems and the increasing need for high-quality plastic packaging with recycled content with this capacity. The plant meets all the high European requirements for, for example, water management, energy management, occupational health and safety requirements, REACH and the processing of residual waste. This assures you of a high quality film produced in a safe and responsible manner using certified PCR material.

Learn more about REKS here.

Watch the company clip of REKS below!

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What Is PCR Plastic and Why Is It a Good Solution for Sustainable Packaging?

What Is PCR Plastic and Why Is It a Good Solution for Sustainable Packaging?

Responsibly sourced, sustainable packaging has been at the heart of our philosophy from the beginning.

Our dedication to leaving a lighter footprint on our planet means we have an ongoing commitment to sourcing pioneering sustainable packaging materials. Whether it's our signature glass bottles, made from recyclable glass sourced in Germany, or our innovative refill system made from 75% post-consumer material (rHDPE), we work hard to ensure every element of our packaging is sustainable as possible. Join us on our sustainable journey and learn how our PCR plastic and sustainable innovations are kinder for our Earth.

What does PCR stand for?

PCR stands for Post-Consumer Recycled material or Post-Consumer Resin. These are recycled plastics referred to as rPET (Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate), rPP (Recycled Polypropylene Plastic) and rHDPE (Recycled High-Density Polythene).

What is PCR plastic?

PCR plastic is made from recycled plastic that can be widely recycled and then reprocessed into a resin, used to create new packaging. Giving packaging a second life, this process reduces the amount of plastic waste.

How is PCR plastic made?

Plastic waste is collected and colour-absorbed, then shredded into fine granules. These are then melted down and reprocessed into new plastic.

What are the benefits of PCR plastic?

Many benefits come with using PCR plastic. This type of plastic is less wasteful than new plastic, as a reduced amount of waste is produced and collected, creating less waste in landfills and water sources. PCR plastic also reduces your carbon footprint for a more positive impact on our Earth.

Does PCR plastic have disadvantages/limits?

During each recycling process, the materials can begin to lose their substance/quality, which is why there are high-grade recyclates and low-grade recyclates. As well as this, not all PCR plastic can be recycled, depending on its use.

Can PCR plastic be recycled?

Yes, PCR plastic is recyclable depending on how it is used. At Susanne Kaufmann, all of our PCR packaging is 100% recyclable.

How many times can PCR plastic be recycled?

PCR plastic is a circular material, so it can be recycled after use. You can safely recycle PCR plastic approximately seven-to-nine times.

Is PCR plastic biodegradable?

No, PCR plastic is not biodegradable. Biodegradable packaging naturally breaks down into non-toxic component substances once consigned to a compost heap. PCR packaging has already achieved the goal of sustainability before the consumer even purchases it, with no need for further reprocessing.

What is the difference between PCR and other eco-friendly packaging?

There are many different eco-friendly packaging options out there, such as recyclable packaging and biodegradable packaging. When looking at recyclable or recycled plastic, recyclable plastic needs to be a 'one material plastic' and not a mixture of different plastics to be considered 100% recyclable. For example, if you have a refill packaging with a cap-closure and this cap is made from another plastic, it would not be considered 100% recyclable. For this reason, we created our unique capless design, reducing the number of plastic materials needed and ensuring the packaging is 100% recyclable. Additionally, our secondary packaging uses 100% recyclable paper.

Our 100% Recyclable Refill System

We recently launched our 100% recyclable refill bottles for our best-selling 250ml cleansing products: Purifying Cleansing Gel, Hair & Body Wash, Invigorating Hair & Body Wash, Hand Soap, Soothing Cleansing Milk and Soothing Toner. Each recyclable refill not only helps reduce landfill waste, but also cuts carbon emissions by 69%. Made from 75% post-consumer material, it is 60% lighter than standard plastic bottles making it our most environmentally friendly packaging ever. We believe that sustainability is a never-ending journey and promise to continue to explore opportunities to reduce our environmental impact in the long run. We are committed to this philosophy and plan to expand our scope by adding more products to our refill system.

Our Multi-Protection Mist

Our Multi-Protection Mist is made from 100% recycled post-consumer material and is packaged in FSC-certified paper that is fully recyclable. Embracing our commitment to sustainable manufacturing, this is the next step towards even more sustainable product design.

Sharing Our Sustainability Commitment with You

At Susanne Kaufmann, we believe that we all have a part to play in looking after our planet and our sustainable packaging efforts go a long way in helping to reduce carbon emissions and waste. However, when it comes to recycling, we need to create a partnership between you and us. Thank you for joining us on this journey.

For more Post-Consumer Plastic Reuseinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.