PakTech Earns Top Recognition for Recyclability for 202 can carriers and twinpak handles

PakTech is proud to announce that its 4-Pack and 6-Pack 202 Standard Can Carriers, along with its TwinPak handles, have received APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). This certification confirms that PakTech’s products meet the highest standards for recyclability, enabling customers to confidently choose packaging that aligns with their sustainability goals.

Why This Recognition Matters

The APR Design® for Recyclability Recognition is a symbol of excellence in sustainable packaging. It is awarded to products that undergo a comprehensive review to ensure they can be seamlessly processed in existing recycling systems. For PakTech, this recognition validates the company's ongoing commitment to sustainable practices. PakTech's carriers and TwinPak handles join a growing list of global certifications, including those from Australia and the European Union.

At PakTech, sustainability goes beyond a trend—it's a core part of our operations. These products are made from 100% post-consumer recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE), using recycled materials like milk jugs. This process not only diverts renewable materials from landfills but also reduces the need for virgin fossil fuels, lowering carbon emissions and contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.

As Gary Panknin, PakTech's Sustainability Officer, explains:

"Our products are a second-life product, designed and developed exclusively with recycled plastic from consumer waste. The APR Recognition validates our role in the circular economy. Not only do our products keep valuable materials in use, but they are also designed to be recycled again and again. It doesn’t get much better than that!"

Steve Alexander, President and CEO of APR, also emphasizes the importance of this achievement:

"We congratulate PakTech for their commitment to improving recyclability. Recyclable packaging means less waste, better use of natural resources, and more high-quality recycled materials for new products."

The Requirements Met for APR Certification

PakTech's carriers have earned APR certification by meeting strict criteria for recyclability with their sustainable design and material integrity.

• Material Compatibility: PakTech handles are crafted from 100% recycled HDPE, a material widely accepted in recycling streams. This ensures the handles do not contaminate or compromise the quality of recycled outputs.
  
  
• Bottle-Grade Quality: The HDPE material used in PakTech carriers is exceptionally clean and meets bottle-grade quality standards, ensuring that the recycled output is valuable.
  
  
• Recycling-Friendly Design: The carriers are specifically designed to be efficiently processed by recycling facilities, aligning with industry best practices for material recovery.
  
  
• Optimized Processing Performance: PakTech's products excel in key mechanical recycling steps, including sorting, cleaning, and grinding, ensuring they can be recycled efficiently without impacting other materials in the system.
  
  
• Rigorous Testing: Comprehensive testing confirms that PakTech handles meet or exceed the performance requirements for automated recycling systems, ensuring they are easily sorted and processed.

By meeting these high standards, PakTech ensures that their carriers are recyclable in most mainstream recycling systems, advancing a closed-loop system that keeps valuable materials in use and supports global sustainability efforts.

Check out the APR certifications here.

Check out our LCA here to learn more about PakTech’s sustainability initiatives.

PakTech’s recognition by the APR is another step forward in their mission to reduce plastic waste, promote recycling, and contribute to a circular economy.