NextLife, a manufacturer of sustainable plastic resins, and HAVI Global Solutions (HGS), a packaging company, have partnered to deliver the world's first FDA- approved recycled resin to the Food Service and Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) markets.
Through the partnership, HGS has received rights to serve as an exclusive provider of NextLife’s FDA-approved Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) polystyrene and polypropylene resins. The restaurants will use the resins to manufacture packaging materials for food contact applications.
HGS’ President, Dan Musachia, stated that the partnership will help to commercialize a key technology and offer significant benefits for the environment and its communities. The FDA-approved PCR resins, including polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene blends, can be custom-made based on the specific requirements of the restaurant chains. The resins can be used as an alternative to virgin resins in the production of several plastic products, including serving trays, cutlery, lids and plastic cups.
Extensive implementation of the PCR plastic resins at very high trafficked QSR chains can significantly enhance their sustainability initiatives. In addition, the use of the recycled plastic resins can save over 500,000 barrels of oil per year. Ron Whaley, CEO of NextLife, remarked that their recycled resin materials have the potential to considerably minimize the amount of waste produced across the U.S. HGS is currently supplying packaging products for some of the major restaurant chains in the U.S. The company will describe to its important clients, the benefits of implementing PCR resins.