{"id":2433,"date":"2022-01-27T20:52:29","date_gmt":"2022-01-28T01:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/what-is-pcr-plastic-packaging-and-how-is-it-used\/"},"modified":"2024-11-22T10:24:05","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T15:24:05","slug":"what-is-pcr-plastic-packaging-and-how-is-it-used","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/what-is-pcr-plastic-packaging-and-how-is-it-used\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is PCR Plastic Packaging And How Is It Used?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Finding the right packaging materials has become a major priority as we work towards increased sustainability on all fronts.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Both brands and packaging experts are on the hunt for materials that keep products safe, sustainable and impactful.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Post-consumer resin (PCR) packaging has emerged as an eco-friendly packaging solution.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But, what is post-consumer resin (PCR), and should it be used for packaging?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">An Overview of Post Consumer Resin (PCR)&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>First things first, let\u2019s discuss what PCR plastic actually is.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Post-consumer resin is made from using existing PET bottles and other plastics.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So plastic bottles and other products are recycled and used to create PCR plastic solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pakfactory-blog-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com\/blog1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/uncategorized\/2023_05_Suzanne-Kaufmann-spray-947x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Example of PCR packaging\" class=\"wp-image-12033\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.susannekaufmann.com\/blogs\/journal\/what-is-pcr-plastic-and-why-is-it-a-good-solution-for-sustainable-packaging\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Suzanne Kaufmann<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>But there\u2019s a bit more to the process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The recycled plastic needs some additional materials to strengthen the raw materials in order to turn into a durable material.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s why manufacturers add materials like recycled <a href=\"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/polyester.html\">PET<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/high-density-polyethylene.html\">HDPE<\/a> plastics as part of PCR, rather than using fresh virgin materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PCR vs. Other Eco-Friendly Plastics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>PCR is just one option when it comes to eco-friendly plastics, and there are several other options available.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, post-industrial resin (PIR) is made from crates, pallets, and processed waste in factories.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is also bioplastic, and within that, biopolymer is made from renewable sources such as plants.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other plastics are emerging that are biodegradable and compostable, but there is little understanding of whether these options are genuinely sustainable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While there are definitely many options in development, PCR packaging has remained one of the more popular options across many different industries.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Benefits of PCR Plastic Packaging<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The main benefit of PCR packaging is that it\u2019s environmentally beneficial.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather than using virgin materials, you\u2019re using reprocessed plastic, which will always be more sustainable for the environment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As PCR becomes more widespread, the future of packaging is becoming more eco-friendly &#8211; and drives up demand for even more eco-friendly materials.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding PCR to your packaging is one of the best decisions you can make if you\u2019re looking for ways to become more sustainable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As consumers become more discerning about what goes into packaging and how brands handle that responsibility, post-consumer recycled plastic is a great way to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s also affordable!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While many newer recycling options are expensive and difficult for businesses to adopt, PCR doesn\u2019t have that obstacle.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s an affordable option for brands that have a big impact on consumers as well as decreasing carbon footprints.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Drawbacks and Hurdles of PCR Plastic<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>PCR packaging does have its limitations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, it can\u2019t be used in <a href=\"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/custom-pharmaceutical-packaging-boxes.html\">pharmaceutical or medical product packaging<\/a> due to the risk of contamination and inconsistency across the recycling process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It can also be difficult to mold and shape, making it a challenging option for certain types of products.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, some brands have found ways to work around these issues by using packaging that is a mixture of both PCR and other materials, which helps avoid the use of virgin plastics.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pakfactory-blog-media.s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com\/blog1\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/uncategorized\/2023_05_musli-kraft-product-box.jpg\" alt=\"Example of mixing different post consumer materials\" class=\"wp-image-12032\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.behance.net\/gallery\/4629627\/Hahne-Mueesli\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Behance<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Many major brands have started incorporating PCR into their packaging, including Campbells, Target, Coca-Cola, Keurig, and Procter &amp; Gamble.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These brands are paving the way for PCR packaging materials to become more popular and, therefore, more affordable.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That helps lower the barrier to entry for many small and medium brands<strong>.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>PakFactory has a range of <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/custom-kraft-boxes.html\"><strong>sustainable and eco-friendly<\/strong><\/a><strong> plastic packaging options available for your products.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/contact\"><strong>Get in contact with us today<\/strong><\/a><strong> and start paving a greener future for your brand!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Post consumer recycled (PCR) plastic packaging may just be the future of plastic packaging in an eco friendly world! Learn more about PCR packaging here!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2206,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2433","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-learn-about-packaging"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2433"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3266,"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2433\/revisions\/3266"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2433"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2433"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pakfactory.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2433"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}