Innovative Recycling Tools The Association of Plastic Recyclers recently launched the APR Design Assessment Tool powered by Recyda, which evaluates the recyclability of entire plastic packages. Businesses involved in packaging design or manufacturing should explore this platform to ensure their products meet recyclability standards, offering opportunities for technical consulting and software integrations.

Expanding Sustainability Initiatives APR is actively updating and expanding its recognition programs to incentivize eco-friendly packaging, including new criteria for Preferred Design Recognition. Companies producing sustainable packaging or seeking to enhance their environmental credentials can benefit from partnerships or certification services.

Market Education and Engagement With recent partnerships like Curbie and initiatives promoting recycling awareness, there is an ongoing effort to educate end-users and communities on recycling practices. This presents opportunities to develop educational content, sponsorships, or community engagement programs for organizations aiming to boost their sustainability outreach.

Digital Platform Development APR’s forthcoming platform scheduled for early 2026 aims to assess entire packaging systems, indicating a focus on digital solutions and data-driven approaches to recycling. Tech providers specializing in imaging, data analytics, or platform integration can offer relevant solutions to underpin this initiative.

Industry Leadership and Standards APR actively updates bale and material specifications, which are critical standards for recyclers and material suppliers. Companies involved in producing recyclable plastics or machinery should consider aligning with these standards for better market access and demonstrate their commitment to industry-leading sustainability practices.