Dive Brief:
- The Poly Coated Paper Alliance has created design guidance for mill recyclability, which it says addresses a gap in the market and is aligned to extended producer responsibility policies in the U.S.
- Guidance is based on survey responses from white fiber (grade 52) and brown fiber (grade 54) mills reflecting 90% of domestic consumption, explained Joel Schoening, senior consultant with RRS, which helps manage PCPA. Responses were weighted based on the proportion of consumption from that mill.
- PCPA laid out a four-tier rating system: compatible, conditionally compatible (which could mean that only some mills accept it, or that it’s only accepted in certain quantities), not compatible, or unknown.
Dive Insight:
The Poly Coated Paper Alliance launched in 2023 and is comprised of paper and packaging companies, brand owners and partner groups. Recycling options for certain polycoated paper items, such as cartons, have been particularly scrutinized in light of evolving state policy.
Schoening said PCPA looked at comparison design guides for fiber and other materials. The group describes the new resource as “the first comprehensive U.S. design guide developed specifically for poly coated paper packaging.”
“The guidance should be considered from the perspective of where a packaging designer would want or expect their product to flow,” Schoening explained.
Currently the guidance is only available to members, but the group expects to release it publicly in a matter of months, according to Schoening. PCPA is currently engaging with Circular Action Alliance — the producer responsibility organization helping to implement California EPR and source reduction law SB 54 — to see whether the guidance can be included in the next California program plan.
Schoening shared some examples of design findings. For example, the inclusion of wet-strength additives has been a concern in some states, but through the guidance development process PCPA identified compatible and conditionally compatible wet-strength options for white fiber and brown fiber mills.
PCPA’s leadership is comprised of RRS along with the Carton Council and Foodservice Packaging Institute, as well as Graphic Packaging International, Sonoco, Kellanova and Procter & Gamble. Co-founders include Campbell's, Chick-fil-A, General Mills, Kraft Heinz and Unilever. Other members include Danone North America, Domtar, Double H Plastics, Hood Packaging, the NextGen Consortium, Smurfit Westrock, Sustana, Tillamook and Toppan.
