Deep Dive: When to use Store Drop-Off Recyclable Materials
As many brands have made commitments to using more sustainable packaging, a top priority tends to be shifting to recyclable or compostable packaging where possible. For brands who rely on flexible plastic films for their packaging, this can pose a challenge because of the lack of infrastructure in the U.S. to recycle these films through curbside programs. Given this challenge, companies are left with a few options to shift their packaging to: 1. Curbside-recyclable, fiber-based flexible packaging. 2. Compostable flexible packaging. 3. Rigid plastic packaging that is generally accepted for curbside recyclability. 4. Store drop-off, mono-material PE plastic.
In other words, switching to an SDO-eligible film is just one option companies have when considering how to make their plastic film packaging more circular. So, when does it make the most sense to switch to each kind?