Postconsumer recycled content (PCR) or responsibly sourced biobased content use is one of the critical paths to reduce the environmental impact of plastic products and achieve a circular economy in the plastics packaging industry. The U.S. Plastics Pact (U.S. Pact) abides by the ISO definition for PCR, which states that PCR is, “material generated by households or by commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product, which can no longer be used for its intended purpose. This includes returns of material from the distribution chain.”
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The U.S. Pact has voluntary PCR usage requirements for all its Activators based on their place in the plastics value chain, with the goal of creating momentum to reach Target 4 of the U.S. Plastics Pact Roadmap of an average of 30% (by weight) postconsumer recycled content in plastic packaging sold within the United States by 2025. The U.S. Pact expects that Activators who already have a publicly stated general recycled content commitment specifically call out PCR commitments instead of or in addition to using the term “recycled content.” For U.S. Pact Activators who produce and distribute plastic packaging, such as consumer product goods companies (CPGs), retailers, and converters, we expect each to publicly state a commitment to a quantifiable target of PCR that is incorporated into their plastic packaging by 2025. For Activators that are non-plastic packaging producers, such as government entities, nonprofit organizations, and recyclers, we expect that each Activator publish external statements on quantifiable internal PCR procurement. PCR internal procurement includes, but is not limited to, office supplies, trash bags, pallets or bins/totes, and trash and recycling bins. The U.S. Pact also encourages non-packaging Activators to have a public statement supporting the use of PCR to address PCR markets on a larger scale, closing this loop of the circular economy.
You have most likely heard of PCR and maybe even PIR, but what do they stand for? These acronyms are extremely common in writings about sustainability and plastic — so common that sometimes they aren’t fully explained. If you’ve been wondering what PCR and PIR are, we’re here to help.
PCR is commonly written as PCR resin, which stands for Post-Consumer Recycled resin. Sometimes this is shortened to just PCR for Post-Consumer Resin. They are interchangeable in most circumstances.
PIR is Post Industrial Recycled (resin) or Post-Industrial Resin. As with PCR, the exact wording is typically interchangeable.
Now, what are PCR and PIR, and how are they different?
Post-Consumer means that the plastic has been used for its intended purpose by the customer. When it has completed its purpose, these plastics are recycled through traditional curbside or collection recycling. In some cases, closed-loop buyback programs are set up for products that are used in more commercial spaces. Petoskey Plastics utilizes a closed-loop program to reclaim our used plastic products from our customers and turn them into recycled resin that will be used again in future products.
Post-Industrial is plastic that never made it to the consumer. This excess plastic is left over from the manufacturing process and can be generated for a variety of reasons. Some scrap comes from contouring products or changing production on a line. Other times, scrap is created during necessary product quality and printing standards checks. Since this plastic never leaves the manufacturing setting, it can be easier to collect and recycle.
Both PCR and PIR content is sorted, cleaned, and melted back into resin pellets to then be used again in future products. If you’re curious to learn more about that process, check out our closed-loop video that explains the steps we take to get clean resin to reuse.
The next time you see a product that is made or packaged with PCR or PIR resin, you know that you are doing your part to purchase sustainably. Just remember to recycle that product when you are done with it to keep the loop going!
Raw post-consumer resins are commonly characterized by DSC, TGA, and Rheology before they are formulated into usable resins and ultimately into polymer products. Techniques like Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measure temperatures and heat flows associated with thermal transitions in a material. This data is useful for evaluating a resin’s thermal properties such as melting point and crystallization rates, as well as identifying the presence of other polymers contaminants present in PCR. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measures a material’s mass over time during temperature change. For polymer testing, TGA can be used to measure the thermal degradation of their resins. Rheology is the study of the flow of matter, which correlates to a polymer resin’s processability. When manufacturing polymer products using PCR, producers use rheology to test the sample’s melt and extensional viscosity as well as viscoelastic properties. When working with recycled resins, the information from these techniques can be used to add the appropriate amount of additives prior to processing.
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After resins are formulated with additives, the masterbatches with PCR are tested for quality and consistency. DSC can now measure the resin’s thermal stability, which may vary depending on the blend of resins and additives used. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) measures the mechanical properties of materials as a function of time, temperature, and frequency. Polymer scientists use DMA to measure their product’s modulus and glass transitions. These measurements help scientists evaluate product strength, blend compatibility, and investigate failed batches.
Taken together, polymers producers are applying these material science techniques to develop a better understanding of their polymer formulations, especially as they start ramp up the PCR content to comply with the targets and deadlines set by local authorities.
The Need: Postconsumer Resin (PCR), also known as Postconsumer Recycled Content, is plastic material that has met its intended use or can no longer be used for its intended purpose. It can be generated by households or by commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities in their role as end-users of the product. PCR is what most of us think about when we think of recycled plastic—turning a used plastic bottle into a new one, or turning used plastic bags into a park bench. One of the key tools for tackling the huge amount of plastic waste in our society, and turning the circular economy into a reality, is to support and stabilize the PCR market.
Brand companies and converters looking to fulfill publicly stated sustainability commitments rely on the certainty that the material they are purchasing and incorporating into their packaging is truly PCR. Unfortunately, along with the sharp rise in demand for recycled content, virgin and post-industrial plastics are being fraudulently sold as post-consumer recycled content (PCR). These materials that are marketed or sold as PCR under false pretenses dilute the impact of sustainability commitments, undermine the integrity of the recycling industry, and ultimately weaken trust in recycling as a solution to plastic waste.
The Solution: The APR’s PCR Certification Program provides that certainty. APR is continuing to grow its program to certify postconsumer (PCR) resin for use in packaging. APR PCR Certification is an important tool to provide transparency to those buying and selling recycled plastic, and to support a robust and stable market for recycled plastic that has met its intended use & would otherwise be headed to landfill or waste.
To create a circular demand pull that turns old plastic packaging into new recycled content, the industry must focus on strengthening the market for verified PCR.
Which of the Pact’s 4 Targets does your work help achieve? TARGET 4: By 2025, the average recycled content or responsibly sourced bio-based content in plastic packaging will be 30%
What makes it particularly smart or circular? APR PCR Certification provides transparency to support a reliable, robust PCR market and fosters trust at a critical juncture in the plastics packaging value chain. Any plastics reclaimer generating PCR pellet or flake can participate in this program to provide customer assurances in the authenticity of their product. Brand companies and converters can commit to using certified PCR to meet sustainability goals and prepare for upcoming regulations.
Results, Benefits, and Outcomes to Date: At the time of writing, 4 major certifiers have qualified for endorsement by APR to conduct certification audits, and 14 reclaimers offer APR certified post-consumer PET, HDPE, PP, LDPE, LLDPE, LLDR, and MDR resins. Buyers of PCR feel confident that the PCR they are buying is legitimately PCR, and reclaimers with legitimate PCR enjoy an expanded market for their certified PCR.
Quote: “The need for continued and growing demand for postconsumer recycled content is essential to the success of plastics recycling. We have seen virgin plastics being fraudulently sold as PCR,” said Steve Alexander, APR President & CEO. “Consumer Brand Companies looking to fulfill publicly stated sustainability commitments can feel confident that APR’s PCR Certification Program adheres to a clear, consistent definition of PCR. This program ensures that PCR receives the value it deserves.”
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