Nominated for British sustainability award

A plastic paint container from RPC Superfos incorporating post-consumer recycled plastic is short-listed for the 2015 Sustainable Innovation Award from the British Coating Federation.

British Coating Federation has nominated a plastic paint container developed by RPC Superfos UK for its 2015 Sustainable Innovation Award. Eligible for winning the award are products and solutions that achieve a reduction in environmental impact.

The solution from RPC Superfos is new, different and interesting because it is the first and to date only example in the United Kingdom of a plastic container for paint that incorporates 25 per cent post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics. The design base of the solution is the Paintainer® pail.

The nominated pack comes in two sizes (2.5 and 5 litres) and was developed and produced for Dulux, the leading paint brand in United Kingdom. The development of the nominated Paintainer® solution is in line with the RPC Sustainability Matters programme and with Akzo Nobel’s Sustainability Strategy, the parent company of Dulux.

Level of performance has not been compromised
Even though the container has a considerable level of PCR plastics it delivers the same high level of performance as a container manufactured from 100 per cent virgin material. Mark Seddon, International Key Accounts Director, RPC Superfos in Oakham, United Kingdom says: 

“The Paintainer® solution is special, because strength and stability were not compromised in any way. It has required considerable time, knowledge and determination to reach a 25 per cent inclusion of PCR plastic in the paint container and evidently we take much pride in the nomination for the BCF Sustainable Innovation Award.”

Less waste and less virgin material
The high level of PCR plastic not only reduces the need for virgin material; it also reduces the amount of plastic waste. In the past five years, 1,600 tonnes of recycled plastics have been used to produce the nominated Paintainer® solution meaning that 38 million used plastic containers have been re-directed from landfill to a useful second life application.

RPC Superfos is an associate member of the British Coating Federation in its capacity of supplier to paint manufacturers. The winner of the BCF Sustainable Innovation Award will be announced 25 November 2015.