Journal

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

PCR Plastic

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 F.

Mar 12, 2026•Five-minute read

PCR Plastic

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 F.

Mar 11, 2026•Five-minute read

PCR Plastic

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 F.

Mar 11, 2026•Six-minute read

PCR Plastic

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 F.

Mar 11, 2026•Seven-minute read

PCR Plastic

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 F.

Mar 10, 2026•Eight-minute read

PCR Plastic

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 F.

Mar 9, 2026•Seven-minute read

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 F.

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 F.

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 F.

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 F.

Mar 9, 2026•Three-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 F.

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 F.

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 F.

Mar 6, 2026•Three-minute read

PCR Plastic

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 F.

Mar 5, 2026•Five-minute read

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 F.

Mar 5, 2026•Two-minute read

PCR PlasticRecycling

What Is rPET? Is It Safe and BPA Free?

rPET is becoming a standard material in sustainable packaging, especially for plastic bottles and containers. But many people still ask the same questions about what rPET is, whether it is safe, and how recyclable it actually is. This guide explains the ba...

Queenie F.

Mar 4, 2026•Six-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 F.

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 F.

Mar 1, 2026•Six-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 F.

Feb 27, 2026•Six-minute read

PCR Plastic

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 F.

Feb 26, 2026•Three-minute read

SustainabilityPCR Plastic

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 F.

Jan 15, 2026•Six-minute read

SustainabilityPCR Plastic

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 F.

Aug 25, 2025•Three-minute read