EPR & Stretch Film: How to Reduce Exposure

In our previous blogs, we covered the basics of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), how it applies to stretch film, and the nuances of producer responsibility, including who may be responsible for reporting and compliance. Now let’s shift from understanding to action.

So, what can you actually do to reduce EPR exposure?

Fortunately, there are several practical ways to reduce EPR exposure, and stretch film is one of the best places to start. Because it's used so frequently, small improvements can add up fast. The right film choices, application, and optimization strategy can significantly help decrease material usage. And since EPR fees are tied to packaging weight, using less material can make a meaningful difference. Even better, this can often be achieved without sacrificing product performance. All while supporting sustainability initiatives and potentially lowering EPR-related costs.

Let's take a closer look.

Why does material reduction matter under EPR?

In many EPR programs, packaging weight plays a role in determining fees. Every pound counts.
Stretch film may not weigh much on a single pallet, but it’s wrapped around load after load throughout the year. Even a small reduction in film per pallet can translate into thousands of pounds of material over time.

Reducing packaging weight doesn’t always require a major packaging redesign. Improving your stretch film operation is often much simpler.

One of the most common ways to do that is through downgauging.

What is downgauging?

Downgauging involves switching to a thinner stretch film that uses less material. It’s one of the first areas companies explore when looking to optimize their stretch operation because using less material can lower costs and reduce EPR exposure. Today’s high-performance stretch films have expanded what’s possible, making downgauging an option worth looking at for many applications.

But is thinner pallet wrap as strong?

Often, yes.

It's all about choosing the right film for the job.

Advances in stretch film technology allow many thinner films to deliver the load containment customers expect while reducing the amount of material needed. Whether a thinner film is the right fit depends on the application. Factors like the load, wrapping method, and shipping conditions all play a role in selecting the right film.

The strongest stretch film isn’t always the thickest.

What role does film selection play?

Not all stretch films perform the same.

Matching the right film to the application can help you get more from every roll while still delivering the load containment your operation needs. It can also reduce material usage, lower costs, and decrease the amount of packaging weight reported under EPR.

That’s where film selection makes all the difference.

How can Amcor stretch films support material reduction?

Once you’ve identified an opportunity to optimize, the next step is choosing a film that will get you there. Amcor’s portfolio of Ultra High Performance and Premium Stretch Films is designed to help reduce material and provide performance you can count on.

No matter how you wrap, there’s a film built for the job:

• Transcend™ – Looking to downgauge your machine wrap? Transcend can help you use up to 20% less material in many applications while maintaining strong load containment. Learn more about Transcend™.

• Fortitude® – Hand wrapping can benefit from material reduction, too. Fortitude pairs reliable load containment with lightweight rolls that are easier to handle throughout the day. Learn more about Fortitude®.

But film selection is only part of the process.

Are there other ways to optimize stretch film usage?

Downgauging is just one piece of the puzzle.

Taking a fresh look at how stretch film is being used can uncover additional opportunities, whether that’s adjusting wrap patterns, reviewing machine settings, or eliminating unnecessary film. As products, shipping conditions, and business needs change, it’s worth checking in to make sure your stretch film strategy still fits your operation.

What about recycled-content stretch films?

Some EPR regulations offer incentives for incorporating post-consumer recycled content into film. Amcor offers two recycled-content stretch hand films:

• Earth Sense® – Made with 30% PCR and 5% PIR content for companies looking to include recycled content into their stretch film program.

• Earth Sense® Pro – Combines that same recycled content with a downgaugeable design, helping you use less material while maintaining strong load containment.

Earth Sense Pro was recently recognized with a Silver Flexible Packaging Achievement Award from the Flexible Packaging Association, highlighting its innovation in recycled-content stretch film.

Learn more about Earth Sense® & Earth Sense® Pro, or the award-winning technology.

Do you have to choose between sustainability and savings?

Not at all.

One of the biggest misconceptions about sustainability is that it always costs more. In many cases, reducing material = reducing cost.

That’s why stretch film optimization is such a valuable opportunity. The same changes that lower packaging weight and use less film can also support sustainability goals and help decrease potential EPR fees.

Rather than seeing EPR as another hurdle, it can be a reason to dial in your stretch film operation even further.

How can Amcor help?

Every operation is different. The best place to start is with a closer look at how stretch film is being used today.

Amcor works with you to:

• Review current stretch film usage
• Identify opportunities to downgauge
• Recommend ways to optimize material usage
• Provide packaging weight and material data
• Help make sense of reporting requirements and potential costs

Not sure where to begin? Here are some questions to consider:

• How much stretch film are we using?
• Are our current gauges aligned with our application?
• Could a higher-performance film help us use less material?
• When was the last time we evaluated our stretch wrapping process?

Conclusion

Stretch film is one of the few packaging areas where one improvement can go a long way. The right combination of film selection, downgauging, and optimization can help reduce material, lower costs, further your sustainability initiatives, and improve EPR readiness.

But what does that look like in the real world?

That’s exactly what we’ll explore in our next blog.