Monterey Mushrooms, identified by BB #:116075, isn't solely about cultivating meals; they're fostering a sustainable future. As the spring approaches, the company is poised to enact a substantial change aimed at enhancing the recyclability of its mushroom packaging. This entails integrating near-infrared (NIR) sortable material into their recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (rPET) thermoformed tills. These rPET tills, sourced entirely from North America, are crafted from 100% post-consumer recycled materials. Consequently, the material within the tills has already undergone a previous life, thereby contributing to a circular economy and reducing plastic waste in landfills. The inclusion of NIR sortable colorant ensures effective sorting and recycling of the packaging into new products.

PET and PETE, both abbreviations for Polyethylene Terephthalate, represent the most commonly used plastics in consumer applications, with recycling number 1 as their symbol. Contrasting PET/PETE with rPET, the distinguishing factor is the "r," signifying recycled material. By employing rPET, the mushroom industry can grant multiple lives to mixed-color recycled PET materials. Additionally, rPET with NIR sortable colorant offers potential long-term cost advantages compared to other colors, including clear rPET.

Monterey Mushrooms revolutionized the retail industry in the 1980s with the introduction of pre-packaged mushrooms. Since then, the mushroom industry has repurposed colored rPET, such as opaque blue, opaque green, and black rPET plastics, to provide them with a new lease of life. The company deems the use of clear rPET as wasteful and views it as a regressive step for the industry. They consider their tills with NIR sortable colorant as a black alternative color. The hue may vary between blue, green, purple, black, etc., depending on the recycled base material used for manufacturing the tills.

With the recycling rate in the United States standing at 29%, and the recycling rate in North America as a whole at 37.8%, recycling centers play a crucial role in transforming plastic waste into reusable materials. However, the sorting and processing of plastics pose challenges due to variations in composition and color. There is widespread confusion among consumers regarding recyclability. Although all rPET materials can be recycled, the nation lacks the infrastructure to do so effectively.

The amount of plastic waste in the U.S. has increased tenfold since the 1970s, resulting in overflowing landfills and ocean pollution, while recycling rates have remained low. Monterey Mushrooms extends an invitation to join them in their commitment to sustainability. "By opting for black alternative rPET with NIR sortable colorant, the company isn't just packaging mushrooms; it is repackaging a greener future."