Rigid Plastics

Rigid plastic packaging. commonly referred to in the industry as “rigids,” are a category of plastics generally made from #2 HDPE and #5 PP rigid. The products are plastic containers with open tops and separate closures, lids, or covers. They are generally “nestable” FOOD containers and can be recycled. Some common types of rigid plastic packaging include butter tubs, yogurt cups, and containers for things like hummus and other dips and spreads. Additionally, rigids play a powerhouse role behind the scenes at grocery stores. Large rigid containers are widely used in the bakery, deli, seafood, and pharmacy departments at grocers and retailers to deliver a wide array of foods, products, and medicine we rely on every day.

We’ve partnered with The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) to grow recycling of grocery rigids found “behind the counter” in full-line supermarkets, provide valuable feedstock to plastic reclaimers, and can help fulfill feedstock demand. The Grocery Rigid Plastic Recycling Program provides the grocery store industry with important rigid plastic recycling information as they “green” their operations, both financially and environmentally.  Recycling grocery rigids is the third component of a balanced grocery recycling program: recovering corrugated cardboard, plastic film and rigid plastics.