Amcor Rigid Packaging (ARP) is a leading producer of rigid plastic containers for food, beverage, health care, and home/personal care markets. ARP has a substantial presence throughout the Americas and produces packaging from several plastic materials and utilizes many molding processes including injection molding, injection-stretch-blow molding, and extrusion blow molding to produce sustainable consumer packaging.  

Plastic has several benefits as a packaging material, as compared to glass and metal. Plastic is light-weight (less energy to transport), break-resistant and it has a lower overall carbon footprint to produce (when compared to glass and metal; McKinsey’s ‘Climate Impact of Plastics Report’). However, leakage into oceans, waterways and nature results in pollution and the potential generation of microplastics. 

Access to plastic collection and recycling programs is limited worldwide. Not all consumers who purchase products contained within plastic containers are able to recycle their packaging. One concept for the reduction of ‘leakage’ (diversion from landfill and non-recycled end-of-life) is to re-use plastic packaging.  

Containers designed for single-use do not always perform well when handled beyond their intended life. New concepts for container design, refill and incorporation to return systems are required for multiple-use plastic container packaging.