When the familiar blue jar of Kraft Mayo begins rolling off U.S. production lines in 2024, something quietly revolutionary will be inside its plastic: 100% post-consumer recycled PET, sourced entirely from North America. This shift, led by Kraft Heinz, is no small tweak—it’s part of a growing wave of corporate action now recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), which has just welcomed ten new Recycling Demand Champions, bringing the total to 15 forward-thinking companies committed to building a circular economy for plastics. Supported by The Recycling Partnership, the APR program shines a spotlight on organizations that don’t just talk about sustainability but back it with long-term contracts, third-party certifications, and real purchasing power for domestically recycled plastic.
Why does this matter? Because recycling can’t survive on good intentions alone. For municipal programs to thrive, there must be reliable demand for the material they collect. Too often, bales of sorted plastic sit unused or are shipped overseas, undermining local efforts. These 15 champions are changing that equation by creating stable, homegrown markets for post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic—using it in everything from food packaging and garden products to durable goods like railroad ties. Their commitments span industries and applications, including the harder-to-recycle mixed-color PCR, proving that recycled plastic isn’t just a niche alternative but a viable, scalable resource.
Among the recognized leaders, Amcor, Novolex, and Reynolds Consumer Products are integrating PCR into everyday packaging, while companies like Inteplast Group and Triton Group are using it in long-life products that keep plastic out of landfills for decades. Churchill Container and PakTech are proving that even demanding applications, like foodservice and beverage carriers, can rely on recycled content. And Kraft Heinz’s move to shift its entire U.S. mayo portfolio to rPET is a landmark moment—demonstrating that even high-barrier, food-safe packaging can be part of the circular solution.
The impact is tangible: stronger markets mean cities can recycle with confidence, knowing their sorted plastics have a future. Third-party certification and multi-year contracts bring transparency and stability, encouraging more suppliers to invest in recycling infrastructure. As Chris Max, Associate Director of Packaging Innovation at Kraft Heinz, puts it: 'As we continue to support the circularity of our packaging, and reduce virgin plastic use, we remain committed to using North American PCR.' This isn’t just corporate responsibility—it’s system change in motion.
With applications now open for the 2026 class of Recycling Demand Champions, APR is inviting more manufacturers and buyers to step up. The message is clear: the demand for recycled plastic isn’t a distant ideal. It’s here, it’s growing, and it’s being built one jar, one contract, one commitment at a time.