Dow introduces recyclable flexible plastic packaging

RecycleReady allows recycling of flexible stand-up pouches.


Recycling Today Staff

Published June 21, 2016

The Dow Chemical Co., Midland, Michigan, has announced the creation of recyclable polyethylene-based barrier packaging through the use of its recently launched RecycleReady technology. 

Created through collaboration with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), Charlottesville, Virginia, and other industry members, Dow’s RecycleReady helps converters create recyclable flexible barrier pouches and packaging for products like granola and nuts, the company says. The aim of this technology is to divert packaging waste from landfills or incineration, to increase postconsumer recycling yields and to aid in the creation of a circular economy for plastics.
 
“Working together with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and our value chain collaborators was crucial to achieving our breakthrough RecycleReady technology, which incorporates Retain polymer modifiers, a key enabler for the recyclability of the packages,” says Stacy Fields, North America director of packaging solutions for Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics.
 
The stand-up pouch made with Retain polymer modifiers is the first package of its kind with barrier film that can be recycled in a polyethylene recycling stream, according to Dow. When combined with other polyethylene resins, the Retain compatibilizer offers a recyclable solution with enhanced barrier characteristics. These recyclable flexible pouches incorporate multiple layers but use only polyethylene as the basic raw material, the company says.
 
RecycleReady technology in North America has been approved by the SPC’s How2Recycle Label program to use the Store Drop-Off label. Plastic film, wrap and bags carrying the Store Drop-Off label can be recycled at participating local retail and grocery stores.
 

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"This technology is a breakthrough in packaging design for recyclability,” says Kelly Cramer, SPC project manager. “It possesses the properties of a multilayer pouch, but behaves like a pure polyethylene bag in the recycling stream. We are very excited."

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