It starts with design

Creating new opportunities for recycling and reuse

A better tomorrow begins by creating a better process. From there, we stop reacting to a problem and start embracing a solution. We’re working with brands and recyclers to design new ways to use less plastic in packaging—and ensure what is used is fully and easily recyclable.

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Circularity isn’t just about what we do with plastic waste. It’s about designing solutions that remove waste from the equation all together.

Sustainable packaging design

Creating packaging that recycles well

Simple packaging is simpler to recycle. It’s why we’ve been developing technologies to enable mono-material plastic packaging design. Solutions using only a single, lightweight, all-polyethylene (PE) structure are much easier to process and recycle.

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Performance and purpose

Meeting needs without sacrificing circularity

Brands now design for sustainability—and their packaging should reflect that commitment. By using less material through downgauging or by incorporating recycled content, our solutions enable thinner, lighter packaging that meets performance needs without sacrificing shelf appeal or easy recyclability.

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Success Stories

See it in action

Explore some of the ways we’ve collaborated to create more sustainable packaging.

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    Sustainable toothpaste tube solutions for consumer brands

    Dow’s materials science expertise and portfolio of high-performance polyethylene materials enabled us to work closely with Amcor, a global leader in producing responsible packaging, to develop a full plastics laminate which is the first big step to developing recyclable toothpaste tubes. The recyclable toothpaste tube solution enables the NICE Group to fully transition to recyclable toothpaste tubes for all products in its portfolio.

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    Sustainable pouch innovation for repeat recycling

    Working with industry players HP, Reifenhäuser, Cadel Deinking, and Karlville we created high-quality polyethylene pouches designed for repeat recycling.

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    High performance recyclable packaging solutions for Alliz

    Creating thermoformed vacuum packaging designed for recyclability, which helps Alliz keep its poultry products fresh while reducing carbon dioxide throughout the production process.

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    Efficient production of high-barrier food pouches

    Innovating a functional, polyethylene-based, high-barrier food pouch in collaboration with Syntegon, Comexi, Plastchim-T, and Ticinoplast that is designed to enable higher recyclability in PE-streams without compromising performance.

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    Polyethylene rice bags designed for easier recycling with Royal Umbrella

    INNATE™ TF-BOPE and downgauging technology enables these rice bags to use less material and be designed for recyclability, helping meet Royal Umbrella customers' demand for environmentally friendly packaging.

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    Mono-material coffee packaging for Pergamino

    Creating aluminum-free packaging designed for recyclability that helps Pergamino maintain coffee’s freshness and aroma.

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    Sustainable pouches for Bear Naked's circular future

    Through creative collaboration and our RecycleReady technology, we worked with Berry Global and Kashi to launch a recyclable pouch for Bear Naked granola that supports a circular future.

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    Laundry pod packaging for Liby

    Introducing China and Liby's first recyclable laundry pod stand-up pouch using our INNATE™ TF-BOPE, a product that allows brands to design for recyclability right from the start.

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    Good-looking barrier packaging for food

    Solving the challenge of incorporating barrier functionalities found in traditional multi-material packaging by developing pouches in collaboration with BOBST, Hosokawa Alpine, and ELBA that offer medium- to high-barrier with films designed for recyclability.

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    Stand-up pouches for a leading detergent brand

    Helping brands like FINISH move to a circular economy through the creation of a new resealable pouch designed for recyclability.

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    Sustainable spouted pouches

    Using a transformative Spout Sealing Technology allows converters to produce mono-material spouted pouches which are desgined for recycling in polyethylene streams.

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    Reusable pouches for windshield cleaner fluid for EPS

    Reducing waste caused by packaging for windshield cleaners through easy-to-use and easy-to-store flexible pouches that are durable, lightweight, and can be reused and eventually recycled.

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    Recyclable refill bags for shower cream

    Dow partnered with Lion Corporation to launch recyclable refill bags for Shokubutsu Monogatari’s shower cream in Thailand, using Dow’s INNATE™ TF Polyethylene Resins for Tenter Frame Biaxial Orientation (TF-BOPE). The newly developed recyclable packaging is a milestone for Dow’s breakthrough INNATE™ TF-BOPE resins, enabling traditional hard-to-recycle packaging to be easily integrated into existing recycling streams.

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Improved recycling infrastructure

Closing the gaps makes a circular economy possible

We’re working with innovative recyclers across the globe to develop and scale opportunities that keep plastics from going to waste. From turning used plastics into economic opportunities to improving recycling processes and beyond, together we’re developing a solid, sustainable foundation for businesses and brands.

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Collaborating to drive progress

We’re investing in, supporting, and collaborating with other organizations to continue to build and improve recycling infrastructure. Explore the work we’re doing together.

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Recykal

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Collaborating with Recykal in India to facilitate the unique Rethink+ plastic take-back program, which aims to prevent post-consumer plastic waste from going to landfills by digitally connecting waste generators, waste aggregators, waste processors, and recyclers.

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Project REFLEX

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Project REFLEX diverts pouches from landfills

Coming together with partners across Africa to launch a program that aims to divert 10,000 metric tons of flexible packaging waste from landfills to recycling centers while providing sustainability education to waste entrepreneurs.

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SCG

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Working with SCG to develop new complete recycling solutions that add value to plastic waste and create a circular economy for plastics in Thailand.

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Recycling for a Change

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Investing in waste picking cooperatives across São Paulo that provide improved training, equipment, administration, and professionalism to their efforts in preventing plastics from going to landfills and developing a strong, efficient circular economy, while also generating positive social impact.

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The Recycling Partnership

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Delivering nearly 200,000 curbside recycling carts to bring equitable curbside recycling access to Baltimore residents with the help of The Recycling Partnership, Closed Loop Partners, the Baltimore Civic Fund, Rehrig Pacific, and many more.

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The latest in design for recycling and reuse