Newark Recycled Paperboard Solutions, Cranford, N.J., and Smart Planet Technologies, Inc., Newport Beach, Calif., formed a strategic collaboration to evaluate the use of Smart Planet Technologies’ EarthCoating technology in recyclable barrier paperboard solutions.

Traditionally, barrier packaging materials used in forming hot/cold paper cups, ice cream containers and folding cartons coated with 100% polyethylene or similar materials are poor candidates for recycling. Smart Planet Technologies is working with Newark Recycled Paperboard Solutions to confirm that select grades of paperboard can be commercially recycled as light and heavy print-bleached board cuttings, thus providing significant economic and environmental gains. In addition, this solution provides great potential for the post-consumer recyclability of barrier-coated packaging.

“EarthCoating holds the potential to address the long-standing challenge in the difficulty of processing paperboards with 100% polyethylene in the recycling stream,” says Johnny Gold, senior vice president at Newark Recycled Paperboard Solutions. “The rates of recycling of folding cartons, paper cups and corrugated materials all stand to benefit from this technology. If the pilot runs prove successful, this will be an exciting development for the recycling industry.”

“EarthCoating is engineered for improved processing in the recycling process,” says Chris Tilton, chief technology officer of Smart Planet Technologies. “Coated paperboards that traditionally have been undesirable for recyclers can become premium reclaimed materials. We appreciate the willingness of Newark Recycled Paperboard Solutions to evaluate and potentially promote the recyclability of paperboard coated with EarthCoating.”