Smart Planet Technologies joins How2Recycle

How2Recycle is a standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public.

The How2Recycle label is a project of GreenBlue’s Sustainable Packaging Coalition, a membership-based group that brings together business, educational institutions and government agencies to collectively broaden the understanding of packaging sustainability and develop meaningful improvements for packaging solutions.

The How2Recycle label was created to provide consistent and transparent on-package recycling information to consumers. Currently the label only applies to packaging sold in the US, with a few select labels available for packaging sold in Canada.

Smart Planet Technologies will be using the label on various paperboard food packaging such as folding cartons and takeout trays. These packages are made using its EarthCoating technology, an alternative to a traditional 100 percent polyethylene barrier coating, which will allow most of the packages to carry the How2Recycle ‘Widely Recycled’ label. This indicates that over 60 percent of the US has access to recycling this packaging, according to Smart Planet Technologies, which traditionally would not be the case for this type of food packaging with a 100 percent polyethylene coating.

EarthCoating is a mineralized resin alternative to traditional plastic barrier coatings for paperboard packaging such as cups, folding cartons and food trays. This coating can be processed more easily through the paper recycling stream, providing greater opportunity for the recycling industry to capture these materials.

High Liner Foods and its Fisher Boy and Sea Cuisine frozen food boxes, which use EarthCoating, carry the ‘Widely Recycled’ label, which is not the case for similar frozen food packaging with a 100 percent polyethylene coating.

In addition, Smart Planet Technologies will be an advocate for the How2Recycle program among its clients.

‘We appreciate Smart Planet Technologies’ support to encourage the widespread use of the How2Recycle label,’ said Anne Bedarf, senior manager of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. ‘As a new Sustainable Packaging Coalition and How2Recycle member, Smart Planet Technologies brings a sharp focus to enhancing recyclability of packaging that has historically had limitations.’

Will Lorenzi, president of Smart Planet Technologies, said: ‘Smart Planet Technologies is delighted to partner with GreenBlue and to support the use of the How2Recycle label in the packaging industry.

‘When innovations are made in materials and design of a package to provide improvements in recyclability, it is important to provide that information to the consumer and to recognize recyclability of design choices.’

Read more about Smart Planet Technologies’ EarthCoating technology here, and how its mineralized resins are replacing plastic coatings, offering production efficiencies, enhanced performance, low costs and recyclability here