U.S. Plastics Pact Releases Updated Design Handbooks to Advance Circular Economy for Plastics

New Guidance Documents on Recyclability, Reuse, and Compostability Provide Practical Tools to Help Design Packaging that Works in Real-World Systems

WALPOLE, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Plastics Pact today released updated design handbooks, providing comprehensive guidance for designing plastic packaging that can be successfully reused, recycled, or composted within existing and emerging U.S. infrastructure.

The strengthened Recyclable, Compostable, and Reusable Packaging Design Handbooks translate the latest certification requirements, labeling rules, and implementation learnings into actionable guidance for packaging designers, engineers, retailers, distributors, policymakers, and procurement teams navigating regulatory requirements and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs.

“Creating a circular economy requires not just ambition, but clear guidance that organizations can use to make informed decisions,” said Marcu Alexander, Director of Strategy & Engagement at the U.S. Plastics Pact. “These handbooks equip companies with the information they need to incorporate circular design principles into packaging for reuse, recycling, and composting. By fostering greater consistency across the plastics value chain, they can help accelerate progress toward a more circular economy.”

Together, the three handbooks recognize that package design is one of the most powerful levers for improving circularity, while acknowledging that successful outcomes also depend on collection access, end-market demand, consumer participation, and supportive policies. The handbooks also incorporate technical design guidance to help brands make informed decisions.

• Recyclable Packaging Design Handbook: Complements the APR Design® Guide and provides broader context on how design decisions affect recycling performance across the value chain. Encourages organizations to regularly evaluate packaging portfolios, align designs with current APR guidance, incorporate postconsumer recycled (PCR) content where appropriate, and stay informed as systems, labeling requirements, and policy continue to develop.
• Compostable Packaging Design Handbook: Underscores that compostable packaging should be developed in alignment with ASTM standards, supported by third-party certification, and paired with clear and consistent labeling. Encourages coordinated action across haulers, municipalities, compost manufacturers, brands, and policymakers.
• Reusable Packaging Design Handbook: Shares insights from testing reuse in the field so organizations can draw from existing research, pilot programs, and practical experience to identify opportunities, evaluate potential challenges, and adapt approaches to advance viable reuse systems.

The handbooks were developed through U.S. Plastics Pact Activator workstreams, a collaborative group representing the full plastics value chain. This broad collaboration is essential because, while each handbook addresses a different pathway, all three reinforce that creating a circular packaging system requires individual decisions informed by a broader understanding of what works across the supply chain.

“Good packaging design strengthens the entire circular system,” said Megan Byers, Program Director at APR and U.S. Plastics Pact Activator. “These handbooks give Activators practical guidance they can use today while helping prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities. As infrastructure, policy, and technology continue to advance, these resources help companies and organizations make informed decisions and adapt with confidence.”

The Recyclable, Compostable, and Reusable Packaging Design Handbooks are available on the U.S. Plastics Pact website.

About the U.S. Plastics Pact

The U.S. Plastics Pact brings together the full plastic packaging value chain in a collaborative forum to drive measurable, system-wide progress by advancing solutions and informing policies that keep materials in use, reduce waste, and deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits.