For years, the push for more sustainable, greater recyclability in plastics production has influenced legislation around the world. The understanding of microplastics and their damaging effects, coupled with headline-grabbing stories of growing concerns from floating garbage islands, plastic bags found at the deepest parts of the ocean, popular beaches worldwide being overrun with trash, and more, have spurred on a variety of laws and regulations designed to curtail plastic pollution.
A variety of popular plastic packaging has already undergone a change, from beverage containers to trash bags in many states. Several states have passed laws requiring minimum levels of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic content to be included in products. Now beauty and personal care products are facing similar requirements.
What is PCR?
Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is a plastic that has been given a new life. It’s made from plastic items that consumers have used and thrown away, such as bottles, containers, and packaging. These items are collected, sorted, cleaned, and reprocessed into new plastic pellets, and recycled plastic can be as strong, durable, and versatile as virgin plastic.
At Federal Package, we only source FDA-regulated PCR. This gives us the cleanest, most reliable, container-ready plastic available as the source of the original material was not contaminated with additives or chemicals. This minimizes the risk of exposure for consumers that can cause allergic or more severe reactions. This is crucial for brands seeking to promote sustainability and responsible sourcing.
States On The Move
Currently, Washington and New Jersey are phasing in PCR standards for personal care products. Maryland, Connecticut, and New York are considering a variety of proposals to increase PCR adoption, while Maine passed an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law in 2021 that could create market incentives for increased use of PCR due to producer responsibility for end-of-life management. Meanwhile, California, Delaware, Illinois, Rhode Island, Colorado, and Oregon are all working on legislation to increase recyclability across a variety of industries, including packaging.
As new laws are written and behaviors change, the “new normal” isn’t just about using recycled plastic, it’s about reimagining our relationship with the material, creating a future where recycled content becomes a valuable resource.
