Pregis joins coalition championing instructional recycling labels

14 May 2018 --- Pregis LLC has joined the How2Recycle coalition to help get more materials into the recycling stream by taking the guesswork out of the process. The initiative puts clear instructions on packaging in an effort to make the recycling process as simple as possible for consumers.

“For many packaging material types, there is consumer confusion regarding recyclability and disposal. The How2Recycle approach uses labels printed directly onto the packaging material which gives the consumer specific recycling instructions,” explains Tom Wetsch, chief innovation officer, Pregis. “The goal is to reduce consumer confusion and increase the amount of material that can be reclaimed and used in new lifecycle applications.”

How2Recycle is a standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels.

Initially, Pregis will be printing a How2Recycle label on its low-density polyethylene EP Flex film which is made into air pillows and widely used in e-commerce applications as void-fill. The film’s ability to stretch as opposed to pop offers puncture resistance and makes it ideally suited for a wide variety of product types.

The How2Recycle label on the EP Flex pillows directs consumers to take the material to a retail store for recycling. The label also includes the How2Recycle website address where consumers can put in their zip codes and find nearby stores that will accept the material.

How2Recycle was created by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition to prevent valuable recyclables from reaching landfills, as well as reduce confusion by creating a clear, well-understood, and nationally harmonized label that enables companies to convey to consumers how to recycle a package. The goal is to provide a labeling system that follows Federal Trade Commission Green Guides and increases the availability and quality of recycled material.

Pregis LLC is a customer-driven solutions provider of innovative protective packaging materials, equipment systems and surface protection. As a material neutral company, the company works with its customers to find the right solution to solve their business challenges. Pregis serves a wide variety of consumer and industrial market segments including food, pharmaceutical, healthcare, medical devices, agricultural, e-commerce, retail, automotive, transportation, furniture, electronics, building, construction, and military/aerospace.