MIDLAND — Dow Chemical Co. this week introduced technology to recycle polyethylene-based packaging as part of existing grocery store drop-off recycling programs.
Created through collaboration with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition and other industry members, Dow’s RecycleReady Technology enables the recycling of packaging for products like granola and nuts, which was not possible before in flexible packaging.
The stand-up pouch made with Dow’s Retain polymer modifiers is the first package of its kind with barrier film that can be recycled in a polyethylene recycling stream. Before this innovation, flexible barrier packaging posed unique recycling challenges due to the variety of materials generally used as part of its makeup.
RecycleReady Technology in North America has been approved by the SPC’s How2Recycle program to use the Store Drop-Off label. Plastic film, wrap, and bags carrying the Store Drop-Off label can be recycled at participating local retail and grocery stores.
The technology aims to divert packaging waste from landfill or incineration, increase post-consumer recycling yields and aid the creation of a circular economy for plastics packaging.
In 2015, collaboration between Dow, the SPC and packaging converter Accredo Packaging produced the Seventh Generation brand’s first recyclable Dishwasher Pods packaging. The innovation was developed in response to customer comments that the product’s previous packaging was not recyclable.
For more information, visit www.dowpackaging.com.