What kinds of bottles does Alpha currently make with post-consumer resin (PCR)?
Alpha is currently making bottles for specific customers that incorporate post-consumer polyethyelene terephthalate (PET), which is collected in community recycling programs, cleaned, pelletized and approved by the FDA for food contact. We have also run some tests with post-consumer high-density polyethylene (HDPE), but we do not expect to run HDPE PCR bottles for customers until late 2008. The following answers primarily focus on post-consumer PET, however we will update this section frequently so please bookmark this page and refer to it often!

How much PCR can your bottles incorporate?
We can make bottles with 100% PCR using regrind that has been repelletized; we can also make packaging with smaller percentages of PCR for customers that request it. Because PCR is never completely free of colorants, we strongly recommend that customers use dark colors (amber, dark green, cobalt blue, etc.) or opaque colors instead of light transparent colors. We also recommend that our customers conduct their own compatibility tests with PCR bottles prior to packaging their products in bottles with any level of PCR.

Is the PCR that Alpha uses FDA-approved?
For customers that require FDA-approved resin, Alpha has identified reliable sources for FDA-approved PET PCR. These companies collect, grind, wash, dry, pelletize, crystallize and solid-state the post-consumer PET in a process approved by the FDA for food contact.

Will my products come in contact with the post-consumer material, and will that affect the safety of my product?
Alpha Packaging makes monolayer plastic packaging, so the post-consumer regrind will come in contact with any products you put in our bottles and jars. We always recommend that customers conduct compatibility tests with their products in the packaging they plan to purchase, but if you require FDA-approved PCR, we can provide you with the necessary certification for post-consumer PET.

What are the environmental benefits of PCR?
Post-consumer plastics such as PET PCR have already been processed from a fossil fuel to plastic, so to reuse the resin in a new PCR bottle does not require the further depletion of new fossil fuels. The more PCR content you put in each bottle, the more impact you can make on the environment, and that is one reason Alpha would like to see each of our PCR customers using 100% post-consumer content in their bottles and jars.

Is there any risk that Alpha will not be able to get enough post-consumer resin to run my bottles?
There is no projected shortage of post-consumer PET. In fact, according to the PET recycling industry, only about 26% of all PET bottles were recycled in the U.S. last year, so as recycling rates continue to rise, the supply of PET PCR will increase proportionately.

What are the drawbacks of PCR?
Because post-consumer PET comes from a wide variety of collection points, and these collection points typically collect a wide variety of PET bottles, even the most rigorous processing and pelletizing cannot eliminate all particulates. The most common complaints about PCR are occasional black flecks in the finished bottles. PCR resin is also subject to some normal color variations so customers should be willing to accept a slightly wider variation in the color of their finished package.

How does the cost for post-consumer PET compare to virgin PET?
In recent months, the cost for bottles made from post-consumer PET has been slightly higher than for bottles made from virgin PET due to the extensive sorting, cleaning and processing required to recapture the recycled resin. However, as the cost for all petroleum-based raw materials continues to increase, the cost for PCR is expected to remain stable. Also, as more consumers continue to recycle PET packaging, the laws of supply and demand should keep the cost for PCR resin very attractive in comparison to virgin PET.

Can I get samples of Alpha products made with post-consumer resins?
Yes, samples of bottles with PET PCR are available. Currently we have samples made from 100% PET PCR in dark amber and clear, and in early 2008 we will offer samples in our standard colors of light amber, dark green and cobalt blue. (Please note: “clear” PET with post-consumer resin tends to be yellow and is for comparison purposes only.) The number of PCR samples per customer may be limited.

What is the minimum number of PCR bottles I can buy?
Currently, Alpha requires a minimum run of 50,000 units for all packaging with PCR. In 2008 we will also consider stocking a limited number of bottles with PCR content in select colors based on customer demand.