If we want effective recycling systems, we must start by designing products that can be recycled. In Mexico and Latin America, talking about plastic recycling is no longer an option, but an urgent necessity with environmental, economic, and social implications. It depends, to a large extent, on better design. This is where the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR), chaired by Steve Alexander, becomes relevant. On a social level, recycling dignifies the work of those who are part of the recovery chain. Today more than ever, the industry has an extraordinary opportunity before it. Therefore, the Guide not only explains what to do, but also what to avoid, helping companies reduce pollution, optimize costs, and improve the quality of the recycled resin. It allows companies to anticipate regulations and instead of trying to correct problems at the end of the supply chain, it proposes to build things correctly from the beginning. This is especially relevant in a country where the General Law for the Circular Economy has already been approved. A high percentage of waste ends up in landfills or, worse, in the environment. Changing this reality does not depend solely on increasing collection. In essence, the Guide establishes criteria for packaging to be effectively recyclable. The APR® Design Guide considers packaging as a set of design characteristics, from materials to adhesives, including labels, pigments, additives, and fixtures. This year, this organization has expanded its efforts in Mexico and LATAM with the announcement of its division for Latin America Strategy, which I am proud to lead. Authorities such as the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources have driven this shift towards more sustainable models; the challenge lies in achieving these objectives through the daily operations of companies. The development of this tool is not improvised; it was made in collaboration with organizations such as WRAP and ECOCE and arises from the direct knowledge and experience of recyclers and packaging experts, which guarantees that its recommendations respond to real market conditions. Substituting virgin resin with recycled material can save up to 70% energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 67%. The APR® Design Guide for Plastic Recyclability is recognized worldwide as the reference for designing packaging for its recyclability. Nowadays, companies face an environment where regulatory trends are advancing rapidly and where society demands results, so having clear and practical tools is no longer a luxury, but a basic condition. As a country, we have achieved important milestones. Economically, this practice represents hundreds of thousands of jobs. It is not just a technical document; it is a practical framework that translates the objectives of the circular economy into concrete and efficient design decisions. This comprehensive approach is fundamental, since in recycling a poorly designed label or an inadequate pigment can make processing unfeasible. We are leaders in PET collection with 64%, and we have the potential to increase the more than 1.5 million tons of recycled plastic annually; however, this is only a part. Everything else comes after.
