All Member Forum

Hello Fellow IOPP Members,

Can someone (perhaps on the Chemical Packaging Committee) advise me if the following coating (ingredients outlined below) in a surface treatment for paperboard box renders the packaging not recyclable:

• water soluble acrylic resin (19%)
• butyl acrylate (10%)
• methyl acrylate (5%)
• styrene (3%)
• PE wax (8%)
• silicone defoamer (0.1%)
• ionized water (54.9%)

The name for the above is 'water-based high gloss oil'.

In addition, is the use of UV coating on a paperboard carton render it non-recyclable?

Thank you for your help.

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Oksana Lapierre CPP
Senior Packaging Optimization Consultant
Canadian Tire Corp
Toronto ON
416-480-9780 (x28734)
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Hello Oksana, 

Perhaps you have already found answer elsewhere but wanted to lend my experience.  The wax and defoamer can pose issues in recyclability.  The water-based part made it seem as though this may not have had a big impact but the 8% wax could pose an issue.  Ultimately, it is best to check with local MRFs on what they would accept or consider for recycling.  Perhaps they already have an idea of what they accept for surface treatment on paperboard.  Depending on the UV coating this could also pose issues for recyclability. 

thanks and good luck 

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Jonathan Godfrey CPP
Jadex Inc
Joppa MD
(443) 377-8977
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Hi Oksana, to determine recyclability we would usually test this with a local paper mill or laboratory. Recyclers will have specific repulpability and fiber yield recovery  criteria for materials. In the US we have worked with Michigan University. I would recommend you reach out to the following contact: 

Lon E Pschigoda II

General Manager – WMU Paper Pilot Plants

4651 Campus Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49008

office:  269-276-3533

cell:  269-689-9612

lon.pschigoda@wmich.edu

http://wmupilotplant.com/

 

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Richard Fine
Founder
BioPak
Bondi Junction
(040) 501-6390
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