The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) has published the first semiannual APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability. Now in its 31st year, the APR Design Guide helps brands develop packaging that is readily recyclable.
In December 2025, APR announced that it was switching from immediately releasing updates to the guide to doing so twice a year, on March 30 and Sept. 30.
Curt Cozart, APR COO, said the change allows for greater efficiency and avoids stakeholders having to deal with a “moving target.”
In the bigger picture, he said the updated guide will help PROs encourage designing for recyclability as they set up fee schedules and work with brands.
He added that one of the new updates he is most excited about is guidance for natural polypropylene packaging, such as fast food cups. “We foresee that being the next recycling stream to really get some traction,” he said, particularly when it comes to food-grade items.
The new update schedule “enables seamless integration with the upcoming APR Design Assessment Tool, better alignment with How2 Recycle and Europe’s RecyClass, improved coordination with translations of the APR Design Guide, and better communication with testing labs and Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).”
The updated guide is now available in English, and the updates will soon be available in the French, Spanish and Mandarin editions in the coming weeks.
APR owns Resource Recycling, Inc., publisher of Plastics Recycling Update.
The APR Design Guide is developed through an open, collaborative process led by APR’s technical committees, which are made up of packaging and recycling experts who evaluate challenges and test innovations.
“APR remains committed to improving recycling for plastics by providing clear, actionable design guidance that reflects the needs of the industry,” said Steve Alexander, APR President and CEO, in a statement. “Through ongoing collaboration and innovation, the APR Design Guide will continue to support progress toward a more circular economy.”
