All-plastic packaging has no metal parts: every component is plastic, but the parts can be made from different plastics. Mono-material packaging goes a step further and makes its main components from one resin family, such as polypropylene (PP). Every mono-material pump is all-plastic, but not every all-plastic pump is mono-material.
What "all-plastic" means
An all-plastic pump, sprayer or dropper replaces the metal parts found in many conventional designs, usually the steel spring and sometimes a metal valve ball, with plastic parts. The result is a closure with no metal in it at all.
That has two clear benefits:
- Metal is kept out of contact with the formula. All-plastic designs remove metal parts from the product path by design.
- A key recycling barrier is gone. Without a sealed-in spring, the closure is easier to sort and reprocess.
What all-plastic does not tell you is how many plastics are used. An all-plastic sprayer can combine PP and polyethylene (PE), for example. That is still a big improvement over a metal-spring design, but it is not mono-material.
What "mono-material" means
Mono-material packaging uses a single resin family for its main components. In a mono-material pump, the actuator, closure, housing, piston and spring are all made from the same type of plastic. APG's Infinity V2 Lotion Pump, Eternal Pump airless bottle and Infinity Deodorant, for example, are mono-material PP.
Because the parts share one resin family, a mono-material closure gives recyclers the simplest material profile. There is no need to separate one plastic from another, and the closure is compatible with a matching bottle.
Definitions can vary between suppliers. When you see "mono-material", ask what the term covers. Check colorants, gaskets, dip tubes and decoration, as well as the main parts. For a deeper look at mono-material options, see mono-material vs multilayer packaging.
All-plastic vs mono-material at a glance
| Question | Conventional pump | All-plastic | Mono-material |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contains metal? | Often, usually the spring | No | No |
| Number of resin types | Often several | One or more | One main resin family |
| Metal in contact with formula | Possible, depending on design | No | No |
| Recycling profile | Mixed materials complicate sorting and reprocessing | Metal barrier removed; resin mix still matters | Simplest profile; easiest to match with the bottle |
| Typical claim | Hard to support broadly | "Designed for recyclability" | "Designed for recyclability"; "mono-material" |
| APG examples | Not applicable | Infinity Lotion Pump, Infinity HV Fine Mist Sprayer, Infinity Trigger Sprayer | Infinity V2 Lotion Pump, Eternal Pump airless bottle, Infinity Deodorant |
Why the difference matters for recycling
Recycling works best when materials can be split into clean streams. Metal is the hardest part to deal with in a small closure, which is why removing it is the first priority. An all-plastic design does that.
Resin mixing is the next layer. PP and PE both float in water, so wash lines cannot easily separate them once a closure is ground into flake. Mixed polyolefins can still be recycled in some streams, but one resin family keeps things simpler.
In both cases, the right wording is "designed for recyclability" and "recyclable where facilities accept it". Neither label means a closure will be recycled in every community. For more on how closures move through the system, read how pumps and sprayers are sorted and recycled.
How to choose between them
Mono-material is not automatically the right answer for every product. Choose based on what your formula and your customer need.
Choose all-plastic when
- You need a specific dispensing format, such as a fine mist or trigger, where the best-performing design uses more than one resin.
- Your main goal is to remove metal from the product path and the recycling stream.
- You need specific neck finishes, dosages or e-commerce features that an all-plastic design already offers.
Choose mono-material when
- You want the simplest possible material story for the closure and bottle together.
- A mono-material option exists in your format, such as a lotion pump, airless bottle or deodorant.
- Your sustainability goals call for a single resin family across the package.
In either case, test the closure with your formula. Check dosage, stroke feel, compatibility and leak resistance before you commit.
How APG can help
APG offers both all-plastic and mono-material options, so you can match the closure to the product.
- Infinity V2 Lotion Pump (mono): PP mono all-plastic, up-lock, 1.5cc dosage, ribbed or smooth.
- Eternal Pump airless bottle (mono material): PP, in 15ml, 30ml and 50ml, with decoration options.
- Infinity Deodorant (mono material): PP, in 30ml, 50ml and 75ml.
- Mono all-plastic airless pump bottle.
- Infinity Lotion Pump: all-plastic, APR recognized for recyclability, with no metal contact with product.
- Infinity HV Fine Mist Sprayer: all-plastic and APR recognized, with PP and PE parts.
See all of our metal-free pumps and sprayers, or read about the benefits of mono-material airless pumps for skincare.
Common questions
Is all-plastic the same as mono-material?
No. All-plastic means there is no metal. Mono-material means the main parts are made from one resin family. A closure can be all-plastic and still mix PP and PE.
Is mono-material always better?
Not always. It gives the simplest material profile, but the best choice depends on the format, the formula and how the product will be used and shipped.
Are mono-material pumps recyclable everywhere?
No packaging is recyclable everywhere. Mono-material pumps are designed for recyclability and are recyclable where facilities accept them.
Can I call my package mono-material if only the pump is mono?
Be specific. If the bottle uses a different material, say the pump is mono-material rather than implying the whole package is.
Do all-plastic closures keep metal away from the formula?
Yes. With no metal parts, there is no metal in the product path.
Not sure which route fits your line? Request samples or a quote and we will help you compare all-plastic and mono-material options.