Berry Global (Berry) has revealed its bottle and cap solution made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, designed for ‘eco-friendly’ performance lubricants manufacturer Green Oil.
Green Oil produces products aiming to be more environmentally friendly than all-purpose lubricants and penetrating oils, traditionally made from petrochemicals. Apparently, the company uses ‘sustainably sourced’ plant-based ingredients which are fully biodegradable and free of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a non-biodegradable, carcinogenic chemical which is commonly used in lubricant manufacture.
For its Gardinól house, garden, DIY, office and workshop lubricant brand, Green Oil required a bottle made from 100% PCR plastic. Berry tailored and supplied an existing standard bottle at low minimum order quantities, also ensuring the orifice was the correct size for controlled flow of the lubricants.
However, the polypropylene (PP) closure and applicator nozzle proved a challenge as there was initially no reliable stream of PCR PP available. Berry states that with the introduction of its proprietary CleanStream recycled plastic, the closure is now being produced in PCR and can be recycled at its end of life in countries where the appropriate recycling infrastructure exists.
Berry adds that the closure is manufactured using a non-carbon black masterbatch which enables it to be detected by the Near Infra-Red (NIR) scanners used in waste sorting processes, unlike conventional carbon-black plastic which often cannot be detected for recycling. In addition, the bottle also incorporates Prevented Ocean Plastics (POP) - plastic waste prevented from entering the ocean and subsequently recycled.
The company collaborated with construction chemicals company Schomburg last year to create a ventilated PE bag solution containing 50% PCR content. Aiming to reduce product losses and carbon footprint, the solution is said to offer pack recyclability, water resistance and effective moisture protection.
More recently, Berry unveiled a recyclable, multi-purpose sip lid for its Reusable Cup range in an additional effort to cut down on single-use plastics while achieving high performance. Intended for both reuse and reclosure, the lid is also designed to be stackable, dishwasher-safe, and usable with or without a straw.
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