Design for sustainability

At 21 Century Polymers, we understand that true transformation towards sustainability requires collaboration and collective effort. To drive meaningful change and promote a circular economy, we actively engage with brand owners and producers of plastic packaging, working together to develop innovative solutions that prioritize sustainability throughout the product lifecycle.

Design for Sustainability

We firmly believe that sustainability begins at the design stage. By collaborating with brand owners and producers, we assist them in integrating sustainable principles into their product design process. Our expertise and guidance help these stakeholders incorporate eco-friendly materials, reduce packaging waste, and optimize recyclability. Through thoughtful design choices, we aim to create packaging that not only serves its intended purpose but also minimizes its environmental impact.

Material Selection

One of the key aspects of our collaboration is assisting brand owners and producers in selecting suitable materials that align with their sustainability goals. We provide insights into the eco-friendliness and recyclability of various plastic materials, helping them make informed decisions that prioritize the use of recyclable or compostable polymers. By choosing materials that are more easily recyclable or biodegradable, we contribute to the overall sustainability of the packaging industry.

Enhancing Recycling Infrastructure

Collaboration with brand owners and producers extends beyond product design. We work closely with these stakeholders to develop and enhance recycling infrastructure. This involves identifying opportunities to optimize collection systems, promoting the use of standardized recyclable packaging formats, and supporting the establishment of recycling facilities. By strengthening the recycling ecosystem, we ensure that packaging materials have a higher chance of being recycled and diverted from landfills.

Closed-Loop Systems

We encourage brand owners and producers to embrace closed-loop systems, where recycled materials are integrated back into the production process. By establishing closed-loop systems, we reduce the demand for virgin plastics, decrease energy consumption, and minimize waste generation. This circular approach to packaging ensures that valuable resources are reused, extending their lifecycle and reducing the overall environmental footprint.

Education and Awareness

In our collaboration efforts, we prioritize education and awareness-raising activities. We provide training and workshops to brand owners and producers, helping them understand the benefits and implementation strategies of sustainable packaging. By fostering knowledge exchange and promoting best practices, we empower these stakeholders to make informed decisions that contribute to a more sustainable future.


Our collaboration with brand owners and producers of plastic packaging plays a crucial role in driving sustainability and recycling within the industry. By integrating sustainable principles into product design, promoting material selection that prioritizes recyclability, enhancing recycling infrastructure, embracing closed-loop systems, and fostering education and awareness, we aim to create a positive impact on the environment. Together, we can transform the packaging industry into a sustainable and circular ecosystem, where resources are utilized responsibly, waste is minimized, and the planet is safeguarded for future generations.


At 21 Century Polymers, we are dedicated to finding innovative solutions for recycling even the most challenging waste materials. We actively provide technical support and expertise to tackle difficult-to-recycle waste, such as polyester fabric tags and contact lens waste, by transforming them into valuable resources through recycling processes.

Polyester Fabric Tag Recycling

Polyester fabric tags are commonly found in the apparel industry, but their small size and complex composition make them difficult to recycle through traditional methods. However, we have developed specialized techniques to address this challenge. Our advanced recycling technology allows us to separate the polyester fabric tags from other materials and convert them into reusable resources.

Through a combination of mechanical and chemical processes, we are able to break down the polyester fabric tags into their raw material form. These materials can then be reprocessed and used to create new polyester fibers or other products. By recycling polyester fabric tags, we minimize waste and reduce the demand for virgin polyester production, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable textile industry.

Contact Lens Waste Recycling into Adhesives

Contact lens waste, including used lenses and packaging, poses unique recycling challenges due to their small size and complex composition. However, at 21st Century Polymers, we have developed specialized techniques to transform contact lens waste into valuable resources, specifically adhesives for industrial applications.

Through a combination of mechanical and chemical processes, we separate the contact lens waste from other materials and convert them into a suitable form for recycling. The contact lenses are processed to extract the polymers they contain, which can then be used as a raw material for the production of industrial adhesives.

By recycling contact lens waste into adhesives, we not only prevent these materials from ending up in landfills or polluting the environment but also create a valuable resource for various industrial applications. This approach promotes the circular economy by closing the loop and ensuring that waste materials are transformed into useful products.


At 21 Century Polymers, we are committed to addressing the challenges posed by difficult-to-recycle waste materials. Through our technical expertise and advanced recycling technologies, we have successfully developed solutions for recycling polyester fabric tags and contact lens waste.

By recycling polyester fabric tags, we contribute to the sustainability of the textile industry by reducing waste and the reliance on virgin polyester production. Moreover, our innovative approach to recycling contact lens waste into adhesives showcases the potential for transforming challenging waste materials into valuable resources for industrial applications.

Through these initiatives, we demonstrate our dedication to promoting a circular economy, minimizing waste generation, and creating a more sustainable future. We will continue to explore new opportunities and collaborate with industry partners to expand our technical support for recycling difficult-to-recycle waste materials, driving positive environmental impact.