We are excited to announce that Container & Packaging Supply is the first national packaging distributor to stock 100% recycled PET containers. So, why do you care? Because this means that you can get in on the sustainability action without being a big player (in other words, you don’t have to special-order ten-thousand of these bad boys).
The proper term for 100% recycled containers is post-consumer resin or PCR for short.
Packaging your products in containers made from PCR is a great way to make your business more sustainable, environmentally responsible, and green.The PCR that is used in our new PCR family is made from PET water bottles and soda bottles collected in community recycling programs. The discarded bottles are collected, ground, washed, dried, pelletized, crystallized and solid-stated back into plastic resin pellets which are then remade into your favorite container shapes. Oh, and the whole process has the “loved-by-the-FDA” stamp of approval. That means you can even put food in it.
Just to prove that PCR completes the never-ending loop of sustainability, we’ve drawn a little picture for you to show you how it works.
At CPS, we’ve already got a pretty generous selection of PCR items available (click the image below to view our new PCR family in our online catalog).
We thought you might have some questions … so here are some answers:
What are the environmental benefits of PCR? The PCR PET bottles that we stock require approximately 60% less energy to create than it takes to make virgin plastic from fossil fuels. Uh, that’s a lot. That said, plastics ALREADY use less energy than many of their alternatives. The more PCR content you put in each bottle, the more Mother Earth will smile and that is one reason we’re stocking 100% PCR bottles.
Is the post-consumer PCR used in these bottles and jars FDA-approved? Yes. Our manufacturer only uses FDA-approved recycled PET PCR. They have identified several reliable sources for FDA-approved recycled resin. And if the FDA approved it, it means that food and drug can be safely packaged.
Are there any drawbacks to PCR? The most common complaints about PCR are occasional black flecks in the finished bottles and a yellow or gray tint in clear and light-colored bottles. PCR is subject to some normal color variations, so customers should be willing to accept a slightly wider variation in the color of their finished packaging.
How will my customers know that the bottles and jars I’m using are good for the environment? Put a message on your product’s label to let your customers know you are using 100% recycled packaging: a true and important claim for many consumers. We can provide you with small logos you can incorporate in your labels and marketing materials. Just contact us at CPS Design for design tips as well as more assistance with your packaging design needs. The bottom of these containers will include the “1” resin identification code for PET plastic, and you can encourage customers to recycle your packaging again at most community recycling centers by putting a “please recycle” statement on your package.
Does PCR cost more than virgin plastic? The cost of PCR is only slightly higher than virgin PET due to the sorting, cleaning, and processing required to turn consumer waste into FDA-approved plastic.
PCR PET containers are an exciting way to market your goods as an environmentally friendly product. It is a great option to aid in the reduction of waste and to help re-use the PET containers that are being recycled on a daily basis. For more information, please feel free to contact one of our customer support representatives about PCR.
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