The National Lubricant Container Recycling Coalition (NLCRC) has started 2024 with a refreshed focus on our strategic priorities. Our priorities are based on a member-wide reassessment of our purpose, vision, and three-year objectives.

These strategic priorities are focused across the packaging value chain and have shaped the conformation of three workstreams: EPR Support, Packaging Design, and Advocacy working groups. These groups support the core three-year objectives of the NLCRC. 

As the regulatory landscape continues to evolve, most notably with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, the NLCRC continues to focus on monitoring new legislation and preparing for changes to existing packaging laws and any policymaking that occurs. After nearly two years of assessment, analysis, and extensive engagement with numerous stakeholders across the petroleum packaging and related value chain, the NLCRC enabled the formation of the Lubricant Packaging Management Association (LPMA). The LPMA is a national non-profit EPR compliance agency founded by five lubricant Brand Owners, with the purpose of providing EPR compliance options for its members and supporting the development of circular material management solutions for their petroleum-based and related products and packaging. The NLCRC and the LPMA are separate entities that collaborate to ensure EPR compliance optimization and to maximize the impact of collection and recycling performance.

The EPR Support working group will primarily focus on post-consumption collection, logistics, and recycling phases along the packaging value chain, seeking to optimize the system, and efficiency in support of EPR Compliance. The group will clarify information or knowledge gaps created or exacerbated by EPR laws; identify solutions to help lower any industrial risks driven by EPR laws; and work together with the other workstreams within the NLCRC to develop solutions to adapt to the changing legislative context. 

The Packaging Design working group will primarily focus on supply (or sourcing), manufacturing (including design), and distribution phases along the packaging value chain. The group will develop collaborative technology enhancements and/or innovations to packaging that reduce or mitigate industry risks. Other activities could include foundational research work, the development of industry guidance, or the provision of recommendations for packaging design enhancements.

The Advocacy working group is a multi-faceted group that will continue to assess the impact and application of EPR laws across the industry’s value chain and this year will begin to advocate for approaches the industry can take to meet EPR requirements through innovation and collective action (as the NLCRC or in collaboration with other associations). This group will drive advocacy in coordination with the research and best practices developed through the NLCRC’s technical working groups. 

These three working groups will align efforts with the NLCRC Communications working group, which will continue to facilitate market engagement and communicate research, advocacy positions, and other technical outputs.  

The National Lubricant Container Recycling Coalition or “NLCRC” is an industry-led coalition funded by a committed consortium of value chain stakeholders focused on establishing solutions for the recovery and recycling of packaging for petroleum-based and related products utilized in the transportation and industrial applications Industry.

Members include Berry Global, Castrol (part of bp Group), Chevron, CKS Packaging Inc., ExxonMobil, Graham Packaging, Independent Lubricant Manufacturers Association, Lucas Oil, Nexus Circular, Pennzoil - Quaker State Company, Petroleum Packaging Council, Plastipak Packaging, RPM eco, Safety-Kleen, and Valvoline. For more information, visit https://www.nationallcrc.com