The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has announced ten new Recycling Demand Champions, bringing total participation in the APR Recycling Demand Champions Program to 15 companies. Supported by The Recycling Partnership, this program recognizes organizations strengthening North American recycling systems through long-term commitments to purchase and use domestic post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.

APR is now accepting applications for the 2026 class of Recycling Demand Champions, welcoming both new and returning organizations to pledge their commitment for the coming year. Organizations can apply to be recognized as “Makers” of finished products with PCR, and/or “Buyers” of products containing PCR.

The 15 Recycling Demand Champions represent a variety of end markets for PCR including new packaging, foodservice products and durable goods like railroad ties and home and garden products. Consistently using plastic recycled in North America supports our cities and towns’ recycling programs while reducing plastic waste. In addition to using domestic PCR, participants are also utilizing third-party certification and long-term purchasing contracts that build trust and market stability.

APR commends these companies for their commitment to the use of significant volumes of North American PCR and strengthening North America’s circular economy:

• Amcor
• Charter Next Generation
• Churchill Container
• Growscape
• Hi-Cone
• Inteplast Group
• ISOFlex Packaging
• Kraft Heinz
• Novolex
• PakTech
• Plastic Ingenuity
• Pregis
• Revolution
• Reynolds Consumer Products
• Triton Group

These companies are taking necessary actions to support robust PCR markets in North America. They are purchasing PCR from North American suppliers, utilizing long-term supply contracts, buying certified PCR, and utilizing PCR in multiple applications, including more difficult to use PCR, such as mixed color.  

Given the critical state of PET recycling in North America, APR commends the important contributions of all Recycling Demand Champions, as exemplified by Kraft Heinz’s leadership.

“Kraft Heinz is proud to be recognized for our commitment to North American post-consumer recycled content use, including moving our US Kraft Mayo portfolio to rPET in 2024.  As we continue to support the circularity of our packaging, and reduce virgin plastic use, we remain committed to using North American PCR,” says Chris Max, Associate Director Packaging Innovation, Kraft Heinz Company.

This Program plays a key role in APR’s broader strategy to strengthen markets for post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR), which is vital to an effective recycling system. APR invites additional companies and organizations that manufacture and/or use products with PCR to become APR Recycling Demand Champions.