Journal

Insights on sustainable packaging, PCR plastics, and eco-friendly solutions

Packaging Basics10 articles

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Packaging Basics

How to Measure Dip Tube Length

To find the correct dip tube length, measure the bottle's height from the bottom to its shoulder. Subtract 2 millimeters for clearance. This final number is your target dip tube length. An accurate measurement ensures the pump dispenses nearly all the prod...

Queenie Fong

Mar 23, 2026•Four-minute read

Packaging BasicsBrand Guides

How to Order Custom PCR Bottles

Ordering custom Post.Consumer Recycled (PCR) bottles for your brand is a straightforward process. It involves five main stages. You will define the design, select the material, create the tooling, run production, and arrange delivery. This guide walks you ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 18, 2026•Three-minute read

Packaging Basics

How to Choose the Right Bottle and Closure for Your Beauty Product

How to Choose the Right Bottle and Closure for Your Beauty Product Packaging is not an afterthought. For a beauty or cosmetic brand, the bottle shape, closure type, and size you choose directly affect how customers use your product, how long it stays fres...

Queenie Fong

Mar 17, 2026•11-minute read

Packaging Basics

Cap Liners and Pump Specs: How to Choose the Right Configuration

Two of the most overlooked packaging specifications are the liner inside your cap and the dip tube configuration on your pump. Both have a direct impact on seal integrity, product waste, customer experience, and compliance requirements. Getting them wrong ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 16, 2026•Eight-minute read

Packaging Basics

How to Choose the Right Bottle Material: PET, PETG, HDPE, and LDPE

The material your bottle is made from affects chemical compatibility, recyclability, clarity, flexibility, and how well it holds up to the formulas inside it. Choosing the wrong material can cause leaching, cloudiness, bottle deformation, or pump failure. ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 16, 2026•Six-minute read

Packaging Basics

How to Choose the Right Bottle Volume

Choosing the right fill volume affects unit economics, repurchase rate, retail channel fit, and how your customer experiences the product over time. Too small and you lose margin on packaging cost per ounce. Too large and you increase barrier to trial and ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 16, 2026•Three-minute read

Packaging Basics

How to Choose the Right Bottle Color

Bottle color does more than signal brand identity. It affects product stability, regulatory compliance, shelf differentiation, and sustainability positioning. This guide covers how to choose the right color for your bottles and what to expect when you move...

Queenie Fong

Mar 16, 2026•Five-minute read

Packaging Basics

How to Choose the Right Closure for Your Product

Choosing the wrong closure costs you more than a bad customer experience. It can mean leaks in transit, wasted product, and returns that erode your margin. This guide covers every closure type Propacks carries and which applications each one is built for. ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 16, 2026•Five-minute read

Packaging Basics

How to Choose the Right Bottle Shape for Your Product

The bottle shape you choose affects shelf presence, closure compatibility, fill line efficiency, and how customers interact with your product every day. This guide covers every plastic bottle shape Propacks carries and which applications each one is built ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 16, 2026•Five-minute read

Packaging Basics

Bottle Neck Finish Guide: How to Choose the Right Size for PCR Bottles and Caps

When you order PCR bottles, one spec causes more compatibility problems than any other: the neck finish. Get it wrong and your caps will not seal. Get it right and everything fits, seals, and ships cleanly. This guide explains what neck finish means, cover...

Queenie Fong

Mar 10, 2026•Six-minute read

Plastic Code8 articles

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Plastic Code

Plastic Code #6: What PS Means for Packaging

If you evaluate packaging materials, you may encounter products labeled with plastic recycling code #6. This code refers to PS, or polystyrene, a plastic used in both rigid packaging and lightweight foam products. Polystyrene is valued for its clarity, ri...

Queenie Fong

Mar 9, 2026•Three-minute read

Plastic Code

Plastic Code #5: What PP Means for Packaging

If you evaluate packaging materials, you may encounter products labeled with plastic recycling code #5. This code refers to PP, or polypropylene, a plastic widely used in food packaging, closures, and durable consumer containers. Polypropylene is valued f...

Queenie Fong

Mar 9, 2026•Three-minute read

Plastic Code

Plastic Code #4: What LDPE Means for Packaging

If you evaluate packaging materials, you may encounter products labeled with plastic recycling code #4. This code refers to LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, a plastic commonly used for flexible packaging and thin films. LDPE is widely used in packaging ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 9, 2026•Two-minute read

Plastic Code

Plastic Code #3: What PVC Means for Packaging

If you evaluate packaging materials, you may encounter products labeled with plastic recycling code #3. This code refers to PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, a plastic used in a variety of industrial, construction, and specialty packaging applications. PVC is v...

Queenie Fong

Mar 9, 2026•Two-minute read

Plastic Code

Plastic Code #2: What HDPE Means for Packaging

If you evaluate packaging materials, you will often encounter products labeled with plastic recycling code #2. This code refers to HDPE, or high-density polyethylene, one of the most widely used plastics for rigid containers and household packaging. HDPE ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 9, 2026•Three-minute read

Plastic Code

Plastic Code #1: What PET Means for Packaging

If you evaluate packaging materials, you will often encounter products labeled with plastic recycling code #1. This code refers to PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, one of the most widely used plastics in consumer packaging. PET is especially common in ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 9, 2026•Three-minute read

Plastic Code

Plastic Code #7: What “Other” Plastics Mean for Packaging

If you evaluate packaging materials, you may encounter products labeled with plastic recycling code #7. Unlike common plastics such as PET (#1) or HDPE (#2), code #7 represents a category known as “Other” plastics. This classification includes materials t...

Queenie Fong

Mar 6, 2026•Two-minute read

Plastic CodeRecycling

Plastic Recycling Codes 1–7: What They Mean for Packaging

Every plastic container, bottle, and bag carries a small number inside a triangle. That number is a resin identification code (RIC). It tells you what kind of plastic the item is made from. It does not tell you whether your local recycler accepts it. Under...

Queenie Fong

Feb 27, 2026•Five-minute read

PCR Materials31 articles

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PCR Materials

Common Packaging Mistakes that can delay your Product Launch

New skincare brands often make the same packaging mistakes: choosing bottles before the formula is stable, picking the wrong closure style, missing neck finish and dip tube details, and choosing packaging for aesthetics without thinking through daily use, ...

Queenie Fong

Apr 11, 2026•Nine-minute read

PCR Materials

How to Choose PCR Packaging for Lotions, Serums, and Hair Care in 2026

Selecting the right post consumer recycled (PCR) packaging is a critical decision for modern beauty brands. The choice comes down to a fundamental match: your product’s viscosity must pair with the correct bottle and closure system. For lotions, serums, an...

Queenie Fong

Apr 10, 2026•Eight-minute read

PCR Materials

What to Ask a PCR Bottle Supplier Before You Place a Small MOQ Order

If you are ordering PCR bottles at a small MOQ, the right questions can save you from compatibility issues, weak documentation, and expensive delays. Small orders give brands flexibility, but they also make supplier selection more important. You need to kn...

Queenie Fong

Apr 9, 2026•Three-minute read

PCR Materials

Do Essential Oils Need Child Resistant Caps in California? SB 54 vs PPPA Explained

Do essential oils need child resistant caps in California? Not because of SB 54. California SB 54 focuses on packaging responsibility and recycled content. Child resistant closure requirements usually come from the Poison Prevention Packaging Act, or PPPA,...

Queenie Fong

Apr 8, 2026•Five-minute read

PCR Materials

Standardize Your Packaging: Using One Bottle and Closure Across Multiple Products

Yes, you can use the same bottle and closure across multiple products to simplify operations and cut costs. This strategy works, but only with strict attention to technical details. Success requires a perfect match between the bottle neck finish and the cl...

Queenie Fong

Apr 8, 2026•Six-minute read

PCR Materials

How to Verify Recycled Content: A Guide to GRS, SCS, and ISCC PLUS Certificates

Making a sustainability claim is easy. Proving it is hard. When you choose post consumer recycled (PCR) packaging, your brand's credibility depends on the actual percentage of recycled material in your bottles. A supplier's promise is not enough. You need ...

Queenie Fong

Apr 7, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

A Founder's Guide to Choosing PCR Bottles for Lotions, Serums, and Hair Care

A mismatch between your cosmetic product and its post consumer recycled (PCR) bottle leads to waste, customer frustration, and a compromised formula. The right container must protect the product, provide a good user experience, and reflect your brand's qua...

Queenie Fong

Apr 5, 2026•Five-minute read

PCR Materials

Where to Buy PCR Bottles in Small Quantities: A Guide for Brands

For growing brands in beauty, wellness, and personal care, switching to sustainable packaging is a priority. Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic bottles are a straightforward way to reduce environmental impact and meet consumer expectations. But many bran...

Queenie Fong

Apr 4, 2026•Six-minute read

PCR Materials

How to Choose the Right PCR Percentage for Your Packaging

Selecting a post consumer recycled (PCR) content percentage for your packaging is a business decision with direct consequences for compliance, marketing, and material performance. The correct choice for your brand depends on these factors. There is no sing...

Queenie Fong

Apr 3, 2026•Five-minute read

PCR Materials

How to Select the Right Bottle Size

Choosing the correct bottle size requires balancing your product, customer, price, and distribution strategy. The right size optimizes user experience and reinforces your brand’s value. This guide compares 2 oz, 4 oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz bottles to help you ma...

Queenie Fong

Mar 28, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

Packaging Measurements A Guide to Inches and Millimeters

US brands operate in inches, but the global packaging industry speaks in millimeters. This disconnect can cause costly errors in production, labeling, and shipping. Understanding how to convert between these units is essential for any packaging buyer. The ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 28, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

How to Read Bottle Dimensions: Height, Diameter, and Wall Thickness

Understanding bottle dimensions is critical for your brand's success. To read a bottle's specifications, you must measure three key dimensions: overall height, body diameter, and wall thickness. These measurements dictate a bottle's volume, its stability o...

Queenie Fong

Mar 27, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

Oz to ML Conversion for Bottles

One US fluid ounce equals 29.5735 milliliters. Packaging buyers must use this exact conversion for accurate filling, compliant labeling, and consistent product delivery. Understanding the precise relationship between fluid ounces (fl oz) and milliliters (m...

Queenie Fong

Mar 27, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

How Many Bottles Fit on a Pallet?

The number of bottles on a pallet ranges from 500 to over 10,000. This wide range depends on four key factors: bottle size, bottle shape, packing method, and pallet dimensions. A pallet of small 2 oz bottles will hold thousands more units than a pallet of ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 27, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

Sourcing Low MOQ Packaging A Guide for Buyers

Finding a packaging supplier with a low Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is critical for new and growing brands. MOQ is the smallest number of units a supplier will produce or sell in a single order. High MOQs create barriers with large upfront costs and stora...

Queenie Fong

Mar 27, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

Why Brands Are Switching to PCR Packaging in 2026

Major brands are switching to post consumer recycled (PCR) packaging to meet new laws, satisfy consumer demand, and achieve corporate sustainability goals. Strict regulations in states like California and Washington set PCR content mandates that take effec...

Queenie Fong

Mar 26, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

Should You Recycle Plastic Bottle Caps On or Off

Yes, you should leave plastic caps on your empty bottles when you recycle them. Modern recycling facilities are equipped to handle bottles with their caps on. This practice ensures the small cap is captured and recycled instead of being lost during the sor...

Queenie Fong

Mar 26, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

PCR Bottle Sizes A Complete Buyer's Guide

Choosing the right PCR bottle size requires understanding milliliters (ml), fluid ounces (oz), and cubic centimeters (cc). This guide gives you clear conversions. It explains how bottle dimensions impact your product, shipping, and shelf presence. We will ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 24, 2026•Five-minute read

PCR MaterialsBrand Guides

PCR Plastic for Cosmetics and Beauty Packaging

Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is the leading sustainable choice for beauty and cosmetic packaging. PCR plastic is made from recycled materials that consumers have already used and discarded. The most common type for beauty bottles is rPET, or recycl...

Queenie Fong

Mar 14, 2026•Five-minute read

PCR Materials

Is rPET Recyclable?

Yes, rPET is recyclable. The material, which stands for recycled polyethylene terephthalate, can be collected, processed, and remade into new products multiple times. Its ability to be recycled is a primary reason brands choose rPET for sustainable packagi...

Queenie Fong

Mar 13, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

Is rPET Safe for Food and Beverage Packaging?

Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) is safe for food and beverage packaging. For rPET to be sold for food contact applications in the United States, its manufacturing process must be reviewed by the FDA. This stringent evaluation ensures the recycle...

Queenie Fong

Mar 13, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

Food Grade PCR Plastic Explained

Using Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic for food and beverage packaging is possible, but only specific materials from certified processes are safe and approved for food contact. Food-grade PCR is typically made from recycled PET (rPET) or recycled HDPE ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 12, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

Pre-Consumer vs Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic

The difference between pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled plastic is its source. Post-consumer recycled (PCR) material is made from waste that a consumer has used and discarded in a recycling bin. Pre-consumer recycled (PIR) material, also called post...

Queenie Fong

Mar 11, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

What Is PCR Packaging? A Guide for Brands and Buyers

PCR packaging is everywhere right now. Brands across beauty, food, nutrition, and household goods are switching to it. But what exactly is PCR, and why does it matter? This guide breaks it down. What Does PCR Mean? PCR stands for post consumer recycled. ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 11, 2026•Three-minute read

PCR Materials

rPET Bottles Explained: Why More Brands Are Going Recycled

rPET bottles are one of the most practical sustainability upgrades a brand can make. They look and perform like standard PET bottles. They are made from material that already existed. And they are increasingly required by law. Here is everything you need t...

Queenie Fong

Mar 11, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR Materials

PCR Bottles vs Virgin Plastic: What's the Actual Difference?

The way brands think about plastic has changed. New state mandates, investor pressure, and consumer expectations that go far beyond "recyclable" labels are pushing packaging buyers into decisions their predecessors never faced. The most common question in ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 9, 2026•Five-minute read

Sustainability & CompliancePCR Materials

How to Transition to rPET Bottles Under California SB 54

If you sell packaged products in California, SB 54 is pushing packaging toward formats that are recyclable in practice and measurable in reporting. SB 54 creates an extended producer responsibility program for packaging and plastic food service ware, and C...

Queenie Fong

Mar 5, 2026•Four-minute read

PCR MaterialsRecycling

What Is rPET?

rPET is one of the most widely used recycled materials in packaging today. If you have seen a bottle labeled with recycled content or a sustainability claim, there is a good chance it was made with rPET. This guide explains what rPET is, how it is made, an...

Queenie Fong

Mar 4, 2026•Two-minute read

PCR Materials

PCR Plastic Bottles and Sustainability: What Businesses Should Know

If you are searching for sustainable packaging, PET containers, or recycled plastic bottles for your brand, PCR plastic is likely part of your evaluation process. Recycled content packaging is becoming a practical requirement for beauty, wellness, and hom...

Queenie Fong

Feb 26, 2026•Two-minute read

Sustainability & CompliancePCR Materials

Understanding Sustainable Plastic Packaging

Sustainable packaging does not mean eliminating plastic. It means designing and using plastic more responsibly. At ProPacks, sustainability begins with understanding how material selection, manufacturing efficiency, and recyclability work together. Modern...

Queenie Fong

Jan 15, 2026•Two-minute read

Sustainability & CompliancePCR Materials

Expanding Our PCR Plastic Packaging Program

We are expanding our sustainable packaging program by offering Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic across our bottle, jar, and closure product lines. This step reflects our commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining structural strength...

Queenie Fong

Aug 25, 2025•Two-minute read

Recycling5 articles

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Recycling

Where to Recycle Plastic Bottles Near You (California Guide)

Where to Recycle Plastic Bottles in California If you want plastic bottles to actually be recycled, the most reliable option is to bring them to certified recycling locations. California has several systems that allow residents to find nearby recycling ce...

Queenie Fong

Mar 5, 2026•Two-minute read

PCR MaterialsRecycling

What Is rPET?

rPET is one of the most widely used recycled materials in packaging today. If you have seen a bottle labeled with recycled content or a sustainability claim, there is a good chance it was made with rPET. This guide explains what rPET is, how it is made, an...

Queenie Fong

Mar 4, 2026•Two-minute read

Recycling

How to Verify If Your Plastic Bottle Is Actually Recyclable

A recycling symbol does not automatically mean a plastic bottle will be recycled. The number inside the triangle is a resin identification code created to help manufacturers identify plastic type. It was not designed to guarantee recyclability. Whether a ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 2, 2026•Four-minute read

Recycling

How Many Times Can rPET Be Recycled?

As more brands shift to sustainable packaging, one question comes up repeatedly: Can rPET be recycled indefinitely? The short answer is no. While rPET can be recycled multiple times, mechanical recycling gradually changes the material at a molecular leve...

Queenie Fong

Mar 1, 2026•Three-minute read

Plastic CodeRecycling

Plastic Recycling Codes 1–7: What They Mean for Packaging

Every plastic container, bottle, and bag carries a small number inside a triangle. That number is a resin identification code (RIC). It tells you what kind of plastic the item is made from. It does not tell you whether your local recycler accepts it. Under...

Queenie Fong

Feb 27, 2026•Five-minute read

Sustainability & Compliance7 articles

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Sustainability & Compliance

Prepare for the California SB 54 Deadline

California’s Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, or SB 54, sets ambitious goals for packaging circularity. A critical reporting deadline is approaching in 2026. Recent regulatory movements have created a new urgency for ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 24, 2026•Four-minute read

Sustainability & Compliance

California SB 54 and Your Plastic Packaging

California's Senate Bill 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, transforms how brands manage packaging. This law requires producers to make all single-use packaging and plastic food service ware sold in California r...

Queenie Fong

Mar 20, 2026•Four-minute read

Sustainability & ComplianceBrand Guides

Glass vs Plastic Packaging for Beauty Brands

Choosing between glass and plastic packaging requires a careful analysis of your product, brand, and supply chain. The right choice balances cost, sustainability, durability, and customer experience. Glass offers a premium feel but is heavy, fragile, and e...

Queenie Fong

Mar 17, 2026•Three-minute read

Sustainability & Compliance

Is Sustainable Packaging More Expensive?

Yes, sustainable packaging can have a higher upfront cost than conventional options. The price of materials like post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is driven by complex collection, sorting, and manufacturing processes. While the initial investment may be...

Queenie Fong

Mar 13, 2026•Five-minute read

Sustainability & CompliancePCR Materials

How to Transition to rPET Bottles Under California SB 54

If you sell packaged products in California, SB 54 is pushing packaging toward formats that are recyclable in practice and measurable in reporting. SB 54 creates an extended producer responsibility program for packaging and plastic food service ware, and C...

Queenie Fong

Mar 5, 2026•Four-minute read

Sustainability & CompliancePCR Materials

Understanding Sustainable Plastic Packaging

Sustainable packaging does not mean eliminating plastic. It means designing and using plastic more responsibly. At ProPacks, sustainability begins with understanding how material selection, manufacturing efficiency, and recyclability work together. Modern...

Queenie Fong

Jan 15, 2026•Two-minute read

Sustainability & CompliancePCR Materials

Expanding Our PCR Plastic Packaging Program

We are expanding our sustainable packaging program by offering Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastic across our bottle, jar, and closure product lines. This step reflects our commitment to reducing environmental impact while maintaining structural strength...

Queenie Fong

Aug 25, 2025•Two-minute read

Brand Guides7 articles

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Brand Guides

Why Brands Choose Amber Plastic Bottles for Product Protection

Brands use amber plastic bottles to protect light-sensitive products from degrading. While the deep, rich color offers a classic aesthetic, its purpose is purely functional. Amber acts as a built in filter against damaging ultraviolet (UV) and blue light, ...

Queenie Fong

Apr 7, 2026•Eight-minute read

Brand Guides

Low MOQ PCR Packaging: How Small Beauty Brands Go Sustainable

For small and independent beauty brands, sourcing sustainable packaging is a primary operational barrier. The desire to use environmentally responsible materials like post consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is nearly universal among modern founders. However, ...

Queenie Fong

Apr 6, 2026•Eight-minute read

Brand Guides

Premium Packaging on a Startup Budget

You can create premium packaging on a startup budget. Success does not come from high spending. It comes from smart, strategic choices. Focus on three key areas. Select quality stock components. Design a clean, impactful label. Use color and finish intenti...

Queenie Fong

Apr 2, 2026•Four-minute read

Brand Guides

PCR Plastic Clarity for Premium Brands

Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic can achieve clarity nearly identical to virgin plastic. For premium brands, the key is using high-quality recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or rPET. The final clarity of a bottle depends on the percentage of PCR used...

Queenie Fong

Apr 1, 2026•Three-minute read

Packaging BasicsBrand Guides

How to Order Custom PCR Bottles

Ordering custom Post.Consumer Recycled (PCR) bottles for your brand is a straightforward process. It involves five main stages. You will define the design, select the material, create the tooling, run production, and arrange delivery. This guide walks you ...

Queenie Fong

Mar 18, 2026•Three-minute read

Sustainability & ComplianceBrand Guides

Glass vs Plastic Packaging for Beauty Brands

Choosing between glass and plastic packaging requires a careful analysis of your product, brand, and supply chain. The right choice balances cost, sustainability, durability, and customer experience. Glass offers a premium feel but is heavy, fragile, and e...

Queenie Fong

Mar 17, 2026•Three-minute read

PCR MaterialsBrand Guides

PCR Plastic for Cosmetics and Beauty Packaging

Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is the leading sustainable choice for beauty and cosmetic packaging. PCR plastic is made from recycled materials that consumers have already used and discarded. The most common type for beauty bottles is rPET, or recycl...

Queenie Fong

Mar 14, 2026•Five-minute read