APR partners with international organizations on Design Guide

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has published its Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability in both Mandarin and Spanish, a move the Washington-based organization says reinforces its ongoing commitment toward global alignment of design for recycling guidelines for plastic packaging.

The Spanish translation was completed through a partnership between APR and Mexican nonprofit ECOCE, while the Mandarin translation was developed with the China National Resource Recycling Association (CRRA) and the Research Institute for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou), Tsinghua (RIET).

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“APR is pleased to partner with ECOCE, CRRA and RIET as we work to align plastic design for recyclability across the globe,” APR President and CEO Steve Alexander says. “Our shared commitment to building a circular economy and improving plastic recycling is what drives these partnerships.”

APR says that although collection systems in North America, Mexico and China may differ, design for recyclability remains similar. The Spanish and Mandarin translations of the Design Guide include modifications to account for differences in recycling infrastructure in Mexico and China. Previously, the Design Guide was translated into French as part of APR’s support of Éco Entreprises Québec (ÉEQ) and Recyc-Quebéc.

“At ECOCE, we believe that sharing knowledge and aligning recycling standards is key to accelerating the circular economy,” ECOCE General Manager Jorge Terrazas says. “This collaboration with APR, CRRA and RIET represents a step forward in building bridges between regions, fostering technical alignment and ensuring that every design decision contributes to a more sustainable future.”

APR says publication of its Design Guide in multiple languages builds on its continued efforts along with other stakeholders to harmonize plastic packaging design for recyclability on a global scale. Using established technical guidelines and testing protocols, APR's partnerships aim to bring clearer guidance to all parts of the value chain.

“The release of the APR Design Guide in Mandarin will help us better understand the North American guidelines for recyclability design,” says Yonggang Wang, CRRA secretary general.

“We are building a Chinese standard system for easy recycling and regeneration as well as gradually establishing a full-chain traceability management mechanism covering design, recycling, regeneration and certification. Key data will be incorporated into the full-chain on-chain certification system to achieve credible data management from the recycling source to the circulation terminal. We will work with all parties to promote the unification and mutual recognition of global plastic recyclability design guidelines and accelerate the efficient circulation of renewable resources in the transnational industrial chain.”

RIET Vice President Xin Yao says the organization recognizes the importance of international collaboration in advancing design for recycling.

“Working alongside APR, ECOCE and CRRA allows us to exchange technical expertise, build alignment on recyclability standards and support the development of solutions that enhance recycling systems and contribute to a more sustainable circular economy.”