Recycled vs. Recyclable Packaging: Understanding the Key Difference

Have you noticed, when you go grocery shopping, every package in a retail shelf makes unsubstantiated ‘green’ claims. Like “100% recyclable packaging”. Or “made from recycled content”. The issue is, customers take both the words (recycled and recyclable) as one and believe packaging is responsibly made. In reality it’s a partial truth. “Recycled” and “Recyclable”, are the two terms used in the sustainable world that are poles apart. Both the terms reflect a change in material’s journey but in opposite ways. However, a unified view of the two terms often leads customers to make wrong purchasing decisions. This leads to waste generation rather than reduction. So, to avoid the future mistake of picking the wrong packaging. Let’s find out the difference between recycled and recyclable packaging.

What is recycled packaging?

When you see a label “Recycled” on a packaging. This means you are looking at a successful journey of material’s past life. Yes, recycled packaging is the one made from materials that have completed one life cycle. After the completion of its purpose, it was collected, processed through machines and remade into a new container, a bag, or a box. The recycled packaging has two types. One is PCR and the other PIR.

Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCR)

Post-consumer recycled content are materials that are derived from waste. For instance, plastic bottles, cardboard boxes or glass jars that are used and discarded by the consumers are collected through recycling programs. This waste is then sorted, compressed into bales, and sold to manufacturers who then put them into a new product. This means if a plastic bottle is labeled as “Contains 75% Recycled Content”. Then it consists of 75% of the material coming from the pre-used bottles. Whereas the remaining 25% is the virgin material.

Post-Industrial Recycled Content (PIR)

Post-industrial recycled content is the industrial refuse. It is a waste material produced as a result of the manufacturing process. A common example is plastic scraps from bottle manufacturing. This content is also known as pre-consumer recycled content. Although, this waste is reused but it is not used for consumer waste streams. Therefore, PIR content is considered less sustainable than PCR content.

Why investing in recycled packaging is an instant win?

The current agenda of different packaging companies is to achieve a circular economy. However, it is a long-term vision that cannot be achieved overnight. But investing in recycled packaging is the fastest route to a circular economy. Plus it offers profound environmental benefits. Such as:

• Conserve natural resources: Recycled packaging reduces the need for extracted petroleum to make plastic containers. Or timber to process into paper pulp for crafting custom cardboard boxes.
• Lower energy consumed: Manufacturing packaging boxes and containers from the virgin materials consume a substantial amount of electricity and water. Whereas recycled content utilizes lesser energy.

What is recyclable packaging

Recyclable Packaging is the one that is never processed before. So, it refers to the materials that you can collect, sort, and remanufacture them into the new products after the completion of their first cycle. Some examples of recyclable materials are, cardboard box, glass bottles, plastic and paper bags, aluminum or steel cans, and labels. However, there is a twist. Not every material is capable of recycling. Therefore, recyclable content is passed through two stages to manufacture new products. Let’s find out what they are.

Technical recyclability

Technical recyclability is also a first step of practical recyclability. It is a process of evaluation to check if the packaging or its materials are feasible for recycling. The assessment criteria in technical recyclability includes three steps. First the compatibility of materials is assessed for recycling. Second, the design of the packaging container is analyzed to see if it aligns with the recycling guidelines. And lastly, the percentage of useful plastic content present in the packaging is measured. If a packaging container passes these steps, this means it is suitable for recycling.

Practical recyclability

Although recyclable packaging is designed for recycling and manufacturing of new products. But not every container reaches the final stages. Some packaging products or materials are rejected at the technical stage. Materials that are actually accepted, collected, and processed for recycling falls under the category of practical recyclability.
To understand the difference between recycled and recyclable packaging one sentence, then it will be. Recycled packaging is about a material’s past life. Whereas recyclable packaging is the future potential of a packaging product.

Recyclable packaging, a rapid win-win scenario

Recyclable material or packaging may come at a premium price, but its benefits to the planet make the cost negligible. Like:

• Reduces waste: Recyclable materials or products are reintroduced into the supply loop. This minimizes the waste volume.
• Prevents pollution: Reduction in waste leads to lesser ocean, chemical, and plastic pollution.
• Lower shipping cost: Recyclable packaging is often lightweight which leads to lower shipping cost.
• Supports circular economy: Since the materials are reused for manufacturing new products. So, it supports a circular economy.

Recycled or Recyclable Packaging! Choosing the right one

Individually, neither recycled nor recyclable, both packaging are not a good option. Despite the fact that they offer numerous environmental benefits. There are certain limitations, too. Although the recycled packaging is made from PCR materials. But you cannot recycle it again. And even if there is a slightest chance of recycling, then, the material quality will be degraded. And the packaging will appear flimsy. On the other hand, recyclable packaging is restricted to local recycling programs. Plus if the packaging design comprises multi-layer materials. Then it is costly to separate and recycling becomes difficult.
So, the sustainable approach is to choose wholesale custom packaging boxes that are made from recycled content and you can recycle it too after the completion of the first life-cycle.

Conclusion

While designing your packaging, think beyond recycling. Remember the hierarchy of sustainability is reduce, reuse, and recycle. This means when you order custom retail boxes in bulk, ensure optimal energy efficiency. And after the completion of the first life cycle of these boxes, the discarded packaging can be reused for the recycling purpose. Collaborating with Boxit Packages can help you with achieving a sustainable packaging with a green future.