More customers and more state packaging laws now require a minimum percentage of recycled content. Adding it without hurting the part takes some planning.
PCR vs. PIR
| Type | What it is | Typical traits |
|---|---|---|
| PCR (post-consumer recycled) | Plastic recovered from used consumer products and packaging. | Counts toward most recycled-content requirements; more variable color, odor and properties. |
| PIR (post-industrial recycled) | Plant scrap that never reached a consumer. | More consistent, but some requirements and certifications don’t count it. |
Check which type your customer or regulation actually counts before you buy.
What changes when you add recycled resin
- Color: PCR is often gray or off-white; light and bright colors get harder.
- Odor and specks: more likely with PCR.
- Melt flow and properties: more lot-to-lot variation; ask for COAs on every lot.
- Food contact: recycled resin needs its own clearance, usually an FDA no-objection letter for the recycling process. FDA compliance explained
A practical approach
- Start with a blend (for example 10–30% recycled) and test parts.
- Raise the percentage in steps while watching color, strength and processing.
- Get documentation of the recycled content for your customer.
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