The APR presented the company with an award for its cooperative testing
activities.
As the recycling industry’s concern for the impact of labels
on PET bottle recycling rises,Spear(spearinc.com),
a leading manufacturer of labels for the global beverage industry, has
developed clear and white film pressure-sensitive label materials that are
compatible with this process. Working in conjunction with the APR (Association
of Post-Consumer Recyclers) testing protocol since 2003, Spear was presented
with the group’s “Partners for Change Award” for its cooperative testing
activities.
All testing of Spear’s pressure-sensitive materials and their impact on PET
bottle recycling was done through independently-certified lab PFE (Plastics
Forming Enterprise) of Amherst, NH. Testing was consistent with APR’s protocol
and included commercially-printed graphics, in addition to the base materials.
Spear’s materials show acceptable PET haze and “b” clarity values up to a 50%
recycled content load and include the blowing of new PET bottles from the
recycled flake with acceptable container haze and clarity levels.
Information specialistEuromonitor(www.euromonitor.com),
reports that PET bottle usage continues to accelerate as global usage
approaches 400 billion units. European recycling association Petcore recently
announced Europe achieved a 51% PET bottle collection rate in 2011, while the
Environmental Protection Agency estimates the US’ PET bottle recycling rate
grew to 29% in 2010. On average, production of new bottles from recycled
plastic requires 70% less energy versus raw materials, along with the impact of
land-fill avoidance. Spear’s new pressure-sensitive materials ensure there is
an environmental solution for labeling PET bottles with pressure-sensitive
materials.
