The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) announced the winners of the second annual APR Recycling Leadership Awards during the Closing Plenary Session at the 2026 Plastics Recycling Conference (PRC).听 Launched in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the APR Design庐 Guide for Plastics Recyclability, the awards recognize packaging designers, manufacturers, researchers, and innovators who are improving recycling for plastics packaging.听 The second annual APR Recycling Leadership Awards celebrate the leaders who are Unlocking the Future of Plastics Recycling. Award categories focus on unique contributions moving plastics recycling forward.听 Congratulations to the following winners:
- Dr. Ed Socci: For outstanding leadership in championing recyclable package design and research: Dr. Ed Socci has achieved a transformative impact on recyclable packaging design, contributing materials science expertise to shape the engineering criteria in the APR Design庐 Guide, and to help protect the PET recycling stream. His influence extends far beyond his organization to instill a responsible science-based mindset throughout the sustainable packaging community.
- Director Zoe Heller and the CalRecycle staff: For outstanding leadership in recycling policy: In 2022, California enacted one of the world鈥檚 most ambitious laws to cut plastic waste and transform the recycling system. Director Zoe Heller and the CalRecycle team are responsible for overseeing the policy鈥檚 bold targets and all state programs on recycling as well as many other critical issues. This award recognizes their leadership and commitment to improving plastic recycling.
- 脡co Entreprises Qu茅bec, Circular Materials, Recycle BC, SK Recycles, and Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba: For outstanding leadership in adopting recyclable package design: Together, these five leading producer responsibility organizations are advancing ecodesign guidelines to improve the recyclability of packaging and paper products in Canada. The guidelines align with the APR Design庐 Guide and represent a significant step toward a cohesive national framework for the thousands of producers operating across multiple provinces and territories.
- Blue Mountain Plastics Recycling (BMP Recycling): Processor of the Year for excellence in plastics recycling innovation: Blue Mountain Plastics Recycling is redefining what鈥檚 possible in plastics recycling. By successfully using existing equipment in innovative ways, BMP Recycling processes bottles and thermoforms together in the same wash lines, demonstrating that materials commonly seen as waste can deliver value for reclaimers. This approach increases recovery rates, reduces waste, and lowers transportation-related emissions from trucking waste materials.
- Charter Next Generation (CNG): For outstanding utilization of post-consumer recycled content (PCR): CNG has commercialized a high-strength flexible film that incorporates certified, domestic polyethylene PCR without compromising performance or aesthetics in the final package. The film was developed in partnership with The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company for the Scotts Earthgro mulch bag. It achieves a 25% increase in film toughness properties, while maintaining excellent optics and sealability, ensuring seamless conversion and superior package durability.
- Pizza Hut: For excellence in package design innovation for recyclability: The redesigned Pizza Hut Wing Bowl sets a new, scalable benchmark for recyclable packaging in the quick-service restaurant industry. This innovative redesign removes carbon black and excess mineral fillers 鈥� materials that previously rendered the container non-recyclable 鈥� and contains 10% PCR. The redesign unlocks a new source of food-grade PP at a previously unavailable scale for recyclers and brands seeking food-grade recycled PP.
鈥淲e are pleased to once again honor the winners of APR Recycling Leadership Awards on a national stage at PRC,鈥� said Steve Alexander, APR President & CEO. 鈥淎s we celebrate the companies and individuals unlocking the future of plastics recycling, we commend those who are driving significant change and pioneering new innovations to transform how the world uses and recycles plastics.鈥�