With the goal of diverting packaging waste from landfills and incineration, Midland-based Dow Chemical Co. has developed a new technology that enables the recyclability of flexible packaging used for such items as granolas or nuts.
“This has never been done before, and it will provide new options for brand owners and retailers to offer recyclable packaging for many products that consumers enjoy,” says Stacy Fields, North America director of packaging solutions for Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics.
Developed through collaboration with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and other industry members, Dow’s RecycleReady Technology will help flexible packaging converters create polyethylene-based pouches that can be recycled.
Company officials say before this innovation, flexible barrier packaging posed unique recycling challenges due to the variety of materials generally used as part of its makeup.
The company’s new technology will enable the recycling of packaging used for products like granola and nuts, which was not possible before in flexible packaging.
“RecycleReady Technology is a great example of how we can bring breakthrough chemistry and process technology together to meet the needs of converters, brand owners, retailers, and consumers,” Fields says.
RecycleReady Technology in North America has been approved by the Sustainable Packaging Coalition’s How2Recycle program to use the Store Drop-Off label.
Plastic film, wrap, and bags with the Store Drop-Off label can be recycled at participating local retail and grocery stores.
