Guidelines for Use

Question 1

How often are aseptic containers assessed for the label “Widely Recyclable”

Answer 1

How2Recycle will continue receiving quarterly updates from the Carton Council.

Question 2

True or False. How2Recycle continues to pursue data regarding the end market
strength of steel aerosols, aluminum aerosols, and aluminum food cans to
determine whether these packages should be downgraded from Widely Recyclable to
Check Locally in the future.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

What are the two goals of How2Recycle contracted research into consumer understanding and perceptions of How2Recycle’s four recyclability categories: Widely Recyclable, Check Locally, Not Yet Recyclable, and Store Drop-of?

Answer 3

1) assess the alignment of the intended label meanings with the perceived messages

2) collect information about consumer recycling behavior

Question 4

What resource is available for retailers to participate in collecting PE films?

Answer 4

How2Recycle Store Drop-off Resource Kit for Retailers

Question 5

Of the brands the How2Recycle program issues on products every day, what percentage include the Store Drop-Off label?

Answer 5

10%

Question 6

True or false. The quality and quantity of data gathered about certain PE film innovations is insufficient to create cutoffs or prescriptive R&D guidance on specific film attributes.

Answer 6

True.

Question 7

When package testing is required, where do they occur? And what protocol test precedes testing?

Answer 7

1) APR candidate lab
2) APR compression test

Question 8

For plastic sortation and reprocessing testing, what three testing protocols are required?

Answer 8

1) Critical guidance
2) Benchmark
3) Sortation protocols

Question 9

What are the steps to acquire a label from H2R?

Answer 9

1) Request the label
2) Apply the label to package
3) Submit Proof

Question 10

What four items on a label request do members need to include to use a pre-qualified package?

Answer 10

1) Supplier name
2) Package trade name
3) Pre-qualification letter
4) Modifications or additions

Question 11

True or false. Uploading quality photos of the package will avoid requests for more information and ensure label accuracy.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

True or false. Sharing your product launch calendar will expedite the label process.

Answer 12

True

Question 13

True or false. When updating a label request or leaving a comment, use the new request function.

Answer 13

False. Use resubmit.

Question 14

What can members use the R&D tool for when developing or updating packaging?

Answer 14

To assess a theoretical package’s full
specifications and components.

Question 15

True or false. Each SKU for a product needs a label request.

Answer 15

False. Request a How2Recycle label for every unique
packaging format, not every SKU.

Question 16

What is the best way to organize label requests to prevent duplicates?

Answer 16

By lead SKU or package description.

Question 17

Which eight (8) components need to be included in label requests?

Answer 17

1) Labels
2) Zippers
3) Tamper evident seals
4) Closures
5) Attachments
6) Windows
7) Utensils (i.e, scoop, fork)
8) Lidding films

Question 18

Why are RFID (radio frequency identification) tags detrimental to plastic recycling?

Answer 18

Because of the potential for
contamination from the plastics,
adhesives, and metals used.

Question 19

Plastic packages with RFID tags will
be designated Not Yet Recyclable, unless what?

Answer 19

The RFID tag has passed the
necessary Association of Plastic
Recyclers (APR) testing protocol(s) at an
APR candidate lab.

Question 20

True or false. Testing is required for all rigid black plastics, including HDPE, PP, and PET.

Answer 20

True.

Question 21

What test is required for rigid black plastics?

Answer 21

Evaluation of the Near Infrared (NIR) Sorting Potential

Question 22

If the label has received an APR Critical Guidance Recognition (eligibility for more favorable label), what two items needs to be included?

Answer 22

Producer and product name.

Question 23

For shrink sleeves, what information is needed for eligibility of a two tile label instructing consumer removal of film?

Answer 23

If the sleeve has full length perforation.

Question 24

True or false. How2Recycle may require NIR sortation potential testing for labels that exceed 75% coverage of plastic containers.

Answer 24

True.

Question 25

What information is needed about closures and seals?

Answer 25

1) If the closure contains any PVC, metal, silicone, or other materials and clarify how consumer uses and separates. 2) Whether the consumer removes closure during use or if it is affixed. 3) If package has tamper sealing.

Question 26

What material composition materials need to be disclosed for PE films?

Answer 26

1) Resins 2) Additives and fillers 3) Barrier layers and tie layers 4) Metallic layers and decor 5) Adhesives 6) Coatings 7) Attachments

Question 27

What material composition materials need to be disclosed for paper coatings and additives?

Answer 27

1) Additives 2) Coatings 3) Alternative or repulpable coatings 4) Laminates and poly coatings 5) Metallic layers and decor 6) Liners

Question 28

True or false. Fiber packages containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are assigned a Not Yet Recyclable label.

Answer 28

True

Question 29

Which fiber packages might contain PFAS?

Answer 29

1) Takeout containers 2) Fiber foodservice packaging 3) Molded fiber plates, bowls, and trays 4) Bakery and deli wrap papers 5) Microwaveable popcorn bags

Question 30

What is the consumer preparation rule?

Answer 30

If consumers have to take special actions or use tools to recycle a package properly, we will not provide additional instructions.

Question 31

Which package formats fall under the consumer preparation rule and will be designated Not Yet Recyclable?

Answer 31

1) Full body shrink wraps without APR critical guidance recognition and full length perforation 2) Hard to remove high coverage paper labels 3) Hard to remove, pressure sensitive, non-label PE labels on PE film without APR critical guidance

Question 32

What are reasons a product may render a package Not Yet Recyclable, even if the packaging is a recyclable material.

Answer 32

1) The product has direct contact with a thick, sticky, or oily residue. 2) Classifies as flammable, corrosive, or highly reactive. 3) Has hazard warnings about environmental or human exposure.

Question 33

What are the acceptable color formatting for H2R labels?

Answer 33

1) Classic (white/black) 2) Inverted (white, single light color) 3) One color (single, solid dark color) 4) Classic on dark (black/white) 5) Faded classic (black w/ lightened shade)

Question 34

What are unacceptable color formatting for an H2R label?

Answer 34

1) No label framing 2) No more than two colors 3) No background colors other than transparent, white, lightened shade 4) No invert isolation

Question 35

True or false. Members are required to receive pre-approval form H2R before any digital reference is made.

Answer 35

True

Question 36

True or false. Featuring the H2R label in digital format is prohibited.

Answer 36

True.

Question 37

True or false. Geographic qualifiers should be easily legible on your package. The qualifier text cannot be smaller than the smallest text in the How2Recycle label.

Answer 37

True

Question 38

Where do members upload a proof?

Answer 38

The original request form.

Question 39

Which materials are deemed widely recyclable?

Answer 39

1) Clear, transparent blue, and transparent green PET bottles and jars 2) some PET thermoforms 3) HDPE bottles & containers 4) PP bottles and containers 5) Polyethylene (PE) film bags, wraps, pouches and films 6) Certain eligible PE-based packaging 7) steel cans & aerosols; aluminum cans & aerosols 8) aluminum trays 9) aseptic & gable top coated paper cartons 10) glass bottles & containers 11) uncoated paper packaging 12) clay coated paper packaging 13) certain coatings on paper packaging 14) some molded fiber packaging

Question 40

Which materials are deemed Check Locally?

Answer 40

1) LDPE bottles & containers 2) some PET thermoforms 3) colored & opaque PET 4) packaging single-sided plastic laminate on rigid paper packaging

Question 41

Which materials are deemed Not Yet Recyclable?

Answer 41

1) Rigid polystyrene (PS) 2) expanded polystyrene (EPS) 3) unsortable black plastic (PET, PP, and rigid PE 4) PE mesh; expanded polyethylene (EPE) 5) PVC 6) multi-layer packaging 7) multi-material packaging 8) double-sided plastic laminate on fiber packaging 9) seals 10) flexible tubes

Question 42

True or false. If members elect to include a RIC on film (not recommended), it may only be in an ASTM equilateral triangle.

Answer 42

True

Question 43

What are the three categories to optimize the H2R membership and label implementation?

Answer 43

1) Strategize 2) Leverage 3) Monitor

Question 44

How can members keep their packaging portfolio up-to-date to analyze trends?

Answer 44

By adding or deactivating SKUs in your label requests to ensure accurate portfolio trends.