APR Opens A Digital Tool For Assessing Plastic Packaging Recyclability
Edited by Ellen Smith — September 30, 2026 — Business
This article was written with the assistance of AI.
References: packagingstrategies
APR is making its APR Design® Assessment Tool available to companies looking to evaluate the recyclability of plastic packaging and check whether their designs align with relevant labelling requirements. Developed with Recyda, the digital tool turns the APR Design® Guide for Plastics Recyclability into a guided assessment that can flag design issues and missing information earlier in the packaging process.
The tool provides an APR Design® rating, ranging from designations such as Preferred Design for Recycling to Non-Recyclable. It also checks packaging against California’s SB 343 labelling law, with additional features planned to help companies calculate extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees in applicable regions across the U.S. and Canada.
By bringing recyclability assessment and regulatory checks into one digital workflow, the tool gives packaging teams a clearer way to review designs before they reach later stages of development. It can also make it easier to assess multiple products across a wider packaging portfolio and identify where changes may be needed.
Image Credit: APR
The tool provides an APR Design® rating, ranging from designations such as Preferred Design for Recycling to Non-Recyclable. It also checks packaging against California’s SB 343 labelling law, with additional features planned to help companies calculate extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees in applicable regions across the U.S. and Canada.
By bringing recyclability assessment and regulatory checks into one digital workflow, the tool gives packaging teams a clearer way to review designs before they reach later stages of development. It can also make it easier to assess multiple products across a wider packaging portfolio and identify where changes may be needed.
Image Credit: APR
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Question 1
Do you currently have any children under 18 who participate in organized or recreational sports?
Question 2
Have you ever purchased sports gear designed to adjust as your child grows?
Question 3
When your child outgrows a piece of sports gear, how much of a problem is having to replace it?
Question 4
What bothers you MOST about replacing outgrown gear?
Question 5
How likely would you be to choose sports gear that adjusts or upgrades as your child grows the next time you buy one?
Trend Themes
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Digital Recyclability Assessments — Software-based packaging reviews create opportunities for earlier design corrections, scalable portfolio analysis, and reduced compliance uncertainty.
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Regulatory Packaging Automation — Integrated checks for labelling laws and EPR requirements point to growing demand for automated compliance workflows across consumer goods packaging.
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Circular Design Intelligence — Data-driven recyclability ratings enable packaging teams to connect material choices with circular economy standards before production decisions are finalized.
Industry Implications
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Packaging Technology — Digital assessment platforms are reshaping packaging development by embedding recyclability guidance directly into design and approval processes.
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Sustainability Software — Compliance-focused tools expand the role of sustainability software from reporting into operational decision support for product and packaging teams.
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Consumer Goods — Brands managing large packaging portfolios gain new visibility into recyclability risks, labelling readiness, and potential regulatory cost exposure.
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