Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Materials: An Overview

What is PCR Material?

PCR stands for post-consumer recycled material. These are materials recovered from consumer waste streams—such as plastic bottles and containers—that are professionally reprocessed into new raw materials for packaging and products.

The Environmental Challenge

The global reliance on single-use plastics has led to widespread environmental damage. 

In response, initiatives like the New Plastics Economy—led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation—have called on global brands to rethink packaging, reduce plastic pollution, and design for a more circular economy.

How PCR Works

Common household plastic items like milk jugs, shampoo bottles, and food containers are collected, cleaned, and processed into plastic pellets. 

These recycled particles are then used to manufacture new packaging components.

This process:

    - Saves energy compared to producing virgin plastic from fossil fuels

    - Reduces the introduction of new plastic into the environment

    - Gives discarded plastic products a second life

PCR Plastic Characteristics

PCR plastics can be used in many of the same ways as virgin plastics. They can be:

    - Molded using standard techniques like injection molding, extrusion, and blow molding

    - Formed into various shapes and formats—bottles, jars, closures, lids, and more

    - Applied across beauty, personal care, household, and industrial products

Common PCR Materials in the Market

Widely used PCR-compatible materials include:

    - PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)

    - PP (Polypropylene)

    - ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

    - PS (Polystyrene)

    - PE (Polyethylene)

Most plastic types can be recycled and reused as PCR if properly sorted and processed.

Understanding PCR Percentages

The PCR percentage indicates how much recycled content is used in a product. For example:

    - A bottle made with 7 kg of virgin plastic and 3 kg of PCR would be labeled as 30% PCR.

    - Many suppliers provide pre-compounded resins with precise PCR ratios to meet brand goals and regulatory requirements.

Benefits of PCR

    - Environmental: Reduces waste and pollution; conserves fossil fuels

    - Economic: Offers a cost-effective alternative to virgin resin

    - Resource-Efficient: Extends the lifecycle of existing materials

    - Community Impact: Supports recycling systems and creates demand for recycled goods

Choose Jersey Packaging Solution LLC for Your PCR Packaging Needs

    - We offer a complete range of custom PCR packaging solutions for cosmetics, personal care, and more. Whether you need bottles, jars, or custom-molded components, we can help you bring your vision to life in any shape and size.

    - Ourteam ensures full compliance with industry regulations and the highest quality standards.

    - We process large-volume orders with speed and precision—without ever compromising quality.

    - Our pricing is among the most competitive in the market, and our exceptional client service is why our retention rate surpasses industry norms.

Let Jersey Packaging Solution LLC help you reduce your environmental impact and achieve your sustainability goals with expertly designed PCR packaging!