Post-consumer recycled content often referred to as PCR, is material that is made from the items that consumers recycle every day, like aluminium, cardboard boxes, paper, and plastic bottles. These materials are typically collected by local recycling programs and shipped to recycling facilities to be sorted into bales, based on the material. The bales are then purchased and melted (or ground) into small pellets and moulded into new items. The new PCR plastic material can then be used for a variety of finished products, including packaging.
PCR packaging is manufactured with a film that is made from recycled materials. In general, PCR packaging cannot be recycled again since it’s already made from recycled materials. This allows brands to fulfil their sustainability goals, without relying on the consumer to recycle or compost the package after use.