Smart tool integrates APR Design Guide to help brands improve packaging recyclability and compliance

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) announced today at Pack Expo 2025 the new APR Design Assessment Tool designed by Recyda, an APR-managed platform that evaluates the recyclability of entire plastic packages — not just individual components.

Launching in Q1 2026, this new digital platform combines live updates from the APR Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability with smart technology to give packaging designers, brands, and manufacturers real-time, actionable insights. It helps companies optimize packaging for recyclability, flag missing data, reduce compliance risks, and prepare for emerging legislative and regulatory reporting requirements.

APR offers trusted third-party verification to help companies avoid the risks of self-appraisal while continuously assessing packaging portfolios against the latest design guidance.

The APR Design Assessment Tool will be demonstrated for the first time at Pack Expo 2025 in Las Vegas, September 29-October 1, and will be shown again at APR's Fall Member Meeting in Salt Lake City, October 21-23.

APR partnered with Recyda, a software provider specializing in sustainable packaging, to bring this solution to market.

Why It Matters

• Industry first: The only assessment tool managed directly by APR, an authority on plastics recyclability in North America.
• Full package evaluation: Goes beyond component self-assessments to analyze entire packages with trusted third-party verification.
• Efficiency and savings: Streamlines packaging data management, minimizing costly errors and supplier back-and-forth.
• Compliance ready: Helps companies meet EPR and other reporting requirements as policies rapidly evolve across states and countries.
• Continuous monitoring: Automatically updates with new APR guidance to ensure portfolios stay current.

Subscription Levels

APR offers three subscription tiers, making it accessible for companies of any size. The first two provide access to the APR Design Assessment Tool Powered by Recyda, and the third enables the Recyda Enterprise Solution with Built-In APR Design Guide.

Starter: Users and package developers comparing single packages APR Design Assessment Tool powered by Recyda, includes:

• Unlimited single-package assessments
• Real-time updates to stay current with the latest APR Design® Guide
• Warnings for missing information and needed design corrections
• Integrated with APR Design® Recognition to confirm validated components

​Core: For growing teams and portfolios (up to 100 SKUs)

APR Design Assessment Tool, powered by Recyda, includes:

• Everything in Tier 1
• Ability to upload multiple packages at once using CSV templates organized by packaging format type

Advanced: For global enterprise companies

Recyda Enterprise Solution with Built-In APR Design Guide includes:

• Everything in Tiers 1 and 2, plus automatic API integration with systems (EPR, PLM, SAP, etc.)
• Built-in, live APR Design Guide ruleset
• Ability to evaluate non-plastic packaging and standards across 20+ countries
• Forecasting tools for EPR fees and potential cost savings from design changes
• Interactive dashboards and exportable reports for internal and external use

"For more than three decades, the APR Design Guide has been the gold standard for recyclable plastic packaging design," said Steve Alexander, APR president and CEO. "This new tool takes that legacy to a new level — giving companies a one-stop solution to improve recyclability and compliance while saving time and money."