a plastic package uses a substrate and an overlay , where both the substrate and the overlay are of materials which can be recycled together , for example polyethylene terephthalate . the plastic used for the overlay may be different from the plastic used for the substrate , provided that the plastics are of the same thermoplastic family , or are of types which are compatible for recycling together . a method of making the package includes the steps of : positioning the product on a vacuum - forming fixture ; heating a first layer of thermoplastic , positioning it over the product , and applying a vacuum to the fixture to pull the first layer of thermoplastic onto the product ; and thermally bonding the first layer and a second layer of recycling - compatible thermoplastic to each other with the product between them , so as to capture the product . apparatus having lease two stations is provided to carry out the method and thereby produce the package .