Designing for recyclability has never been more important. As a result mono-materials are becoming more mainstream for use with caps and containers. However, minor components, such as liners, have an important part to play too. Here Darren Dodd, International Customer Care and Marketing Director at Selig Group discusses how mono-materials can be used to help not hinder recyclability if chosen correctly.
Thanks to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), helping drive change in container design many producers are assessing their material choice for packaging waste management. So, how can liners help producers ‘design for recyclability’ - that is at the core of the PPWR - and improve post-consumer recycled (PCR) percentages in rigid plastic containers?
Major and minor packaging components all play a part
Let’s take a moment to look at a definition of ‘recyclability when it comes to plastic packaging. According to WRAP’s polymer choice and recyclability guide[i] the definition of plastic packaging recycling, that aligns with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Global Plastics Commitment, is: “A packaging or a packaging component is recyclable if post-consumer collection, sorting, and recycling is proven to work in practice and at scale… A package can be considered recyclable if its main packaging components, together representing more than 95% of the entire packaging weight, are recyclable according to the above definition, and if the remaining minor components are compatible with the recycling process and do not hinder the recyclability of the main components…”
Based on this definition, it is clear that liners, although a minor component in the packaging mix, have a part to play; be that in achieving a clean recycling stream, and/or helping producers lightweight their containers whilst promoting container durability in transport and on-shelf.
Mono-material liners
Efficient waste collection schemes, closed-loop recycling and access to recycled content are all making producers look at every stage of their packaging process. This is leading many to a move to design caps, closures and containers out of the same materials, offering a mono-material solution that is more easily processed in recycling streams. A case in point is the recent launch of Selig’s PP backed DELTASEAL™ liner, the original board layer of the two-piece liner – which can be used to seal dry and oily food containers – has been replaced with PP foam, promoting the easy recycling of PP caps in suitable recycling streams.
Increasing PCR content
As well as the tax saving incentives of including PCR material in food packaging, the benefits of reducing demand for virgin plastic content and lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions make environmental sense too. However incorporating PCR material into food packaging can lead to food safety and contamination risks if it has been mechanically recycled, so it is important that the packaging is made from chemically recycled PCR content for food applications from certified suppliers.
Although a minor component, liners can boost the PCR content percentage too. For example, Selig’s foam based PCR liners contain 15% PCR, based on the total weight of the liner[ii] and the PCR induction heat seal liner uses heat seal film that is comprised of 70% PCR and a PET film with 90% PCR and meets the latest FDA and EU food contact requirements. The functionality of PCR content liners remains the same as traditional liners and so there should be no process changes required by producers to make the switch on production lines.
Reducing overall plastic usage
Plastic packaging lightweighting makes sense both economically and environmentally. However, it can create issues with product integrity during transportation and on-shelf. To overcome this, many producers have combined lightweighting with an induction heat seal. In addition, further material savings can be achieved if the liner has been lightweighted too. Take Selig’s Lift ‘n’ Peel™ induction heat seal liner: this has been redesigned to reduce material usage by up to 20%, compared to the original. This adjustment offers consumer brands a more cost-effective and sustainable option, without sacrificing the sealing performance or easy-to-open experience consumers expect.
As the balancing act continues between meeting sustainability targets and packaging performance, liners have their part to play. By offering an ever growing range of solutions that promote sustainable packaging design, Selig Group is helping customers achieve their environmental goals more easily.
For more information on Selig’s global capabilities and solutions, visit www.seliggroup.com
[i] https://www.wrap.ngo/sites/default/files/2022-12/Polymer%20choice%20and%20recyclability%20guidance%20-%20Dec%202022.pdf
[ii] Foam based PCR liners (S70 FS 3-19-PCR) - made using the 90% PCR film and are available in a variety of thicknesses to suit a wide range of food and drink applications. When combined with the liner, the total liner contains up to 15% PCR, based on the total weight of the liner.