Designing Packaging for Recyclability
Learn how to design packaging that meets Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements and supports a circular economy. In this first lesson of Plastic Ingenuity’s EPR course, we focus on Design for Recyclability—a growing regulatory and industry mandate.
As more U.S. states pass packaging EPR legislation, producers must rethink design decisions to align with recycling infrastructure and avoid non-compliance. This step-by-step guide will help you understand:
- Why recyclability is now a regulatory requirement
- How to analyze your packaging portfolio against state “Covered Materials Lists”
- What tools to use—like the APR Design Guide and How2Recycle labels—to improve recyclability
- Which materials to replace (like PVC and PS) and why PET is preferred
- How to embed recyclability into your product development workflow
Whether you’re a packaging engineer, sustainability lead, or brand owner, this video offers actionable insights to align with evolving regulations and enhance your environmental impact.
Resources Mentioned:
Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) Design Guide: https://plasticsrecycling.org/apr-design
How2Recycle Label Program: https://how2recycle.info/
State Covered Materials Lists: Search “[Your State] + packaging EPR covered materials”
