Packaging and Recyclability Nov 09 PRAG.03784b30

8/2/2019 Packaging and Recyclability Nov 09 PRAG.03784b30

1/23


2/23

2CONTENTS

Introduction 3

Reduce 4

Re-use 5

Recycled Content 6

Recyclability 8 Recyclability in context 8 Plastic Bottles 10

Rigid/Semi (non-bottles) plastic packaging 12

Plastic Film Laminates and Bags 15

Glass Containers 16

Paper and Board 17

Corrugated packaging 18

Fibre based packaging 18

Steel and Aluminium Containers 19 Compostable packaging 20

Composite packaging 21

Further information and guidance 22

PRAG: Packaging Resources Action Group

PRAG is a multi-stakeholder group that acilitates the development o cross-sectoral partnerships and enables constructive dialogue between centraland local government, manuacturers and retailers, waste managementcompanies and reprocessors. It aims to catalyse action to create moreconsistent systems and communications or the recovery o used packaging.

Members work together to:

Improve the environmental, social and economic impactso packaging and product systems.

Optimise the amount o packaging on products or netenvironmental gain.

Increase quantity and quality o used household packagingmaterials collected or recycling.

Increase recovery o used packaging.

This guidance has been developed by the Product Design sub-group oPRAG. It is a plain language introduction to designing or recyclability. It

provides guidance or designers and packaging speciers at a generallevel on the actors that need to be considered. Packaging technologistsand designers will need to seek more detailed in ormed to inorm designdecisions. It contains links and reerences to these sources.

Disclaimer:

The guidance contained in this guide is or reerence only and advice shouldbe sought rom individual material suppliers and packaging suppliers as tothe specication o their products. The guidance is intended primarily orthe UK market conditions only. The guidance refects the usual municipalcollection, disposal and reprocessing option available in the UK at the time

o writing. No responsibility or liability on behal o PRAG or the authors.The guidance is subject to change and uture advice may di er rom theadvice contained in this guide. October 2009


3/23

3INTRODUCTION

Why packaging is important

Each year 10.5 million tonnes o packaging is used to protect the billions ogoods used by UK households and industry. Over 60% o this is alreadyrecycled. O the 4.7 million tonnes used or consumer goods just under hal isrecycled (40-45%) (Source: Dera).

Packaging specication is based on many actors, including the technicalproperties o the material, tness or purpose, sourcing, unctionality,manuacturing capability and cost. I packaging is poorly specied theresulting damaged products or wasted ood would probably have ar moreo an environmental impact than the impact o the packaging.

While an increasing amount o the packaging is recycled, a high proportionis not. Reducing the environmental impact o all packaging can be largelyinfuenced at the design and specication stage determining whichmaterials are used, how much packaging is used and how easy it is torecycle. This guide is aimed at helping packaging technologists, designersand marketers reduce the environmental impact o the packaging used in theUK, with a particular ocus on recyclability o the packaging. This should beachieved without compromising its unctional perormance or reducing theoverall resource eciency o a product/packaging supply chain.

In addition to technical and commercial issues, there is clear regulationrelating to packaging. If a business makes, fills, sells orhandles packaging or packaging materials, then theymust comply with packaging regulations. For moredetails see Legislation on page 23.

Reducing Environmental Impact

Designing packaging to reduce its environmental impact, covers several keyelements:

Fit for purpose: ensuring the packaging protects the products andreduces the risk o damage or product waste.

Remove: challenging whether packaging is needed at all to protecta product and deliver it saely and in good condition to the end user.

Reduce: understanding the opportunity to use less material throughdesign, specication and weight o material.

Re-use: looking at the options to reuse the packaging, or exampleuse o rells.

Recycle: designing packaging so that it can be readily and ecientlyrecycled more easily its recyclability.

Recycled content: speciying recycled content will reduce thedemand or primary raw materials and generate demand or recycledmaterial.

Scope of the GuidanceThe guidance that ollows covers the 5 later points above, but centres onrecyclabilityo packaging as this is the area that is oten the mostunclear or packaging designers and also where guidance is least available.The guidance does not cover ull lie cycle analysis o packaging impact, butdoes refect recognised industry practices to help reduce the environmentalimpact o packaging in its end o lie phase. The guidance complementsother packaging related guides that are available to industry and providea broader perspective. Such guides are available rom INCPEN, Recoup,Envirowise and WRAP (see page 23 or links).


4/23

REDUCE 4

REDUCE

Reducing the amount of packaging used is a key step in reducing the environmental impact of a pack.

Reduction: Guidance / examples

Incorporating new technologies. New production processes, materials or technologies may be available to reduce the amount of material usedwhilst retaining performance. See the IPTS database (International Packaging Technology Study) www.wrap.org.uk/retail/tools_for_change/international.html

Reducing the weight of material usedin a pack benchmark to others in thecategory.

Sense-check against what packaging competitors are specifying in the UK and internationally. Usefulbenchmarking tools can be found at;WRAP: www.wrap.org.uk/retail/tools_for_change/uk_packaging_benchmark/index.htmlMintels Global New Products Database (GNPD) which can be found at: www.gnpd.com andPackTrack at: www.pack-track.com

Designing out unnecessary layers orelements of packaging.

Consider the function of every piece of the packaging.

Reducing the size of the pack bydesigning out head space or voids.

Match the size and shape of the container to the contents this will also help reduce the need for inserts,llers or packing materials.

Consider offering a range of sizes. Customers can buy just what they need or buy in bulk, reducing the ratio of packaging to product.

Design using the most efcient shape. e.g. a shorter, squat bottle will normally use less material than a very tall, thin one. Also ensure that thedesign/shape is suitable for the manufacturing technology to be employed.

Considering alternative/efcientmaterials.

Review options to research the environmental impacts of different materials. eg. double-walled rather thantriple-walled corrugated board.

Do not over specify just to be sure. Do the load and stress resistance specications reect reality in the current distribution system?

Make packaging work harder byidentifying dual-functions.

For example can information be printed on the inside of packaging to avoid separate leaets or the need forlarger packs.

Promotion packs/size impression. Avoid packs with a large size impression just to increase stand out. Consider achieving effective marketing bymaximising in-store merchandising / point-of-sale opportunities.

Primary / secondary / tertiarypackaging reduction.

Consider the overall packaging impact for primary, secondary and tertiary packaging when reviewing andmake savings throughout the supply chain.


5/23

5RE-USE

Re-use: Guidance / examples

Rell packs. Lightweight rell packs that can be decanted/used in the parent pack offer packaging reductions. Ifconcentration/dilution is possible as well this adds further reduction. Consumers could be incentivised tochoose the rell option through a lower retail price and promotions.

Give packaging a secondary use. Packaging can be designed to offer a second use in the home, for example a gift set, jam jars or tea caddy.Make sure the reuse potential is communicated to consumers. Bear in mind that consumers can onlypurchase so many reusable packs before they are forced to dispose of some. This could ultimately lead toincreased packaging being used.

Packaging can become part of theproduct.

Use the product to be the packaging e.g. a toiletry wash bag / gift set / toys / luggage items.

Closed Loop packaging systems. Some home improvement stores have explored the potential for using closed-loop packaging systems fordelivering DIY kitchen furniture or appliances into the home. As well as reducing the impact of single-trippackaging, products are better protected and have a lower damage rate.

Re-using packaging reduces the raw materials used in manuacturing,postpones waste going to landll and saves the resources expended inrecycling, but it may take more energy to produce a container that is robustenough to withstand re-use than in equivalent one-trip container. There arealso other environmental impacts associated with re-use, such as washing,that should be considered.

Opportunities or primary packaging re-use are airly limited but a growingnumber o reuse/rell packs are available in the UK particularly orhousehold and personal care products.

Re-use should work in tandem with Reduction and Recycling.

There are several ways in which packaging can be reused:

In the home: packaging that can be re-used or relled once itscontents are nished, or instance a biscuit tin, tea caddy or a triggerspray with a rell or plastic carrier bags reused as bin liners

In store: more innovative examples or primary packaging includewhere consumers re-use laundry and household bottles and get themre-lled in store.

Returnable systems: returnable secondary and tertiary

packaging is very common or example returnable trays totes orresh and chilled produce, pallets, roll cages, display crates etc. Alsoreturnable systems where consumers return packaging which is cleanedand relled (most commonly bottles). E.g. door step milk delivery.


6/23

6RECYCLED CONTENT

Recycledcontent:

Guidance / examples

GlassPackaging

Packaging made from glass almost always contains some recycled material (cullet). It can be recycled indenitely without losingperformance. However approximately twice as much green glass is imported into the UK than is currently produced, resulting ina signicant surplus. Additionally, clear (int) and amber glass is not being collected in sufcient quantities to meet demand.

As a result of the supply situation, technical performance and consumer acceptance the level of recycled content possible variesby colour of glass container. Indication ofmaximum recycled content levels (excluding internal cullet inclusion) are;Green glass packs: up to 90% recycled contentClear glass packs: up to 50% recycled contentAmber glass packs: up to 50% recycled content

Actions to be considered: Increase recycled content in white int: e.g. review clarity specications to allow a subtle green tint

from white int where this wont affect the product appearance; Review amber specications to allow a greater amount of recycled glass to be used. For UK manufactured containers move from white int to amber or green glass where product colour is compatible,such as dark liquids in amber or mint sauce in green glass. This allows a higher recycled content level;

For imported containers move to clear glass where possible to help reduce the green glass imbalance.

Using recycled material or packaging will not only reduce the amountthat may end up in landll but may reduce the carbon ootprint o a pack.Most consumers believe using recycled content packaging to be a positivemove by a brand or retailer.

Recycled materials are usually dened as materials that have been througha prior use (either consumer or industrial) and then subsequently recycledback into usable material. Use o process scrap or post industrial waste isnot dened as recycled content by most packaging material sectors, and it ismisleading to call this material recycled. See the BS EN ISO 14021:2001

Environmental labels and declarations or clarication and denition orecycled content by material, see www.bsi-global.com

Some packaging materials have the ability to use a recycled option, in thecase o glass, aluminium, steel , paper and board it is the industry norm.It is also growing in other materials such as PET and HDPE. However theavailability, quality and technical specication o recycled material variesby material so it is not possible to make generalisations across materials orrecycled content. It is important to ensure that materials (virgin or recycled)used or ood toiletries, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals are t or use,hygienic and meet required health and saety standards.


7/23

7RECYCLED CONTENT

Paper andBoardPackaging

Paper, card and cartonboard packaging is inherently recyclable. Cartonboard and corrugated board generally contain a very highproportion of recycled material. Paper cannot be recycled indenitely because the bres get shorter and weaker each time theyare recycled. Some virgin bre must therefore be introduced into the process to maintain the strength and quality of the bre.

So while specifying recycled content card packaging helps reduce the environmental impact of a pack, a balance needs to bestruck in some applications between the amount of shorter bre recycled content specied and the performance requirements ofthe pack.

Actions to be considered; Specify recycled content board where appropriate. Strength of board may be reduced through greater use of recycled contentwhich may mean a higher gauge is required.

Recycled board is not recommended for direct contact with certain foods. The matter should be discussed with yourpackaging supplier.

PlasticPackaging

Specifying recycled content for PET (and HDPE) packs for food and drink applications can be safe and permissible. Whererecycled materials are used in contact with food or drink they need to comply with EU Materials and Articles in Contact withFood Legislation. In practice this means that they must come from a closed loop system with approved super-cleaning processesto remove the risk of contaminants and unknown substances transferring to the food and causing harm or adversly affectingquality.

Co-extrusion technology in certain circumstances may allow for a layer of recycled material to be used which is not in contactwith food products, however it is important that where recycled materials are being used in food contact applications thatproper systems are in place for traceability of the source of the recyclate that prove it is suitable for food contact. If this is notavailable it should not be used in food contact use.

In Europe, recycled PET (rPET) that is of a suitable standard for food applications must be manufactured in compliance with

Commission Directives 2002/72/EC and 2008/282/EC (and future amendments). To establish due diligence, it is worth sourcingmaterial produced under an FDA (Food and Drug Administration, the centre for food safety and applied nutrition) approvedprocess.

Plastics cannot be recycled indenitely without some performance loss so some virgin polymer must be introduced into theprocess

Actions to be considered; Specify recycled content for packaging where appropriate and commercially viable. 25-50% is the normal range of inclusion. Review options for HDPE, PP and PS as recycling technology, processes and suppliers emerge. See WRAP for further information: http://www.wrap.org.uk/retail/materials/recycled_pet.html

MetalPackaging

Packaging made from steel or aluminium may contain a signicant amount of recycled material as standard. Over 50% of cansare recycled in the UK. Cans are collected through a well established recycling infrastructure and capable of handling 100% ofcans consumed in the UK. This gure i s expected to rise annually.

Cans are innitely recyclable without loss of quality and there is no down-cycling of material to lower grade applications. Eachcan recycled substantially reduces the carbon footprint of the next can. Steel cans made from recycled material require only25% of the energy needed from virgin material and if the can is an aluminium one, only 5% of the energy is required. Cans aremade from materials produced with 50% or more recycled metal.


8/23

8RECYCLABILITY

Recyclability in Context

The ability o a pack to be readily recycled its recyclability is oten the aspect that the consumer is most ocused on, yet rom an environmental impactperspective, product protection, packaging optimisation, ecient product delivery and use o recycled content are all important and likely to have a greater netimpact than recyclability. Packs should not be designed or specied solely based on recyclability.

Purpose of the Recyclability GuidanceThe ollowing guidance is aimed at ensuring that household packaging placed onto the UK market is specied, designed and labelled in such a way as tomaximise the potential for the packaging to be recycled in an environmentally and economically efficient mannerbased on the recycling technologies that are most relevant at the current time. This should not be at the expense o compromising other key considerationssuch as tness or purpose, product wastage or damage etc. The guidance will also help inorm brand, marketing and design unctions as to the impact onrecyclability o various packaging options and choices.

The challenge o developing a UK wide guidance that can refect the wide geographical variation in collection, sorting and reprocessing capabilities isobvious. The guidance is aimed at refecting what is appropriate or the majority o cases and also to incorporate trends in emerging recycling technology.

Materials are constantly developing as are the recycling technology and processes. So the guidance will evolve, be updated and develop as t he marketdevelops. Feedback and suggestions are welcomed.

Principles of Designing for Recyclability

While bearing in mind the need for sound environmental decisions, there are several overarching principles that are appropriatefor all packs and materials when considering designing for recyclability;

Use fewer packaging materials, in any one pack, to allow for ease of recycling. Use mono materials where possible. Design for ease of separation to allow recycling. Clearly communicate the pack material and recycling message (where appropriate sign up to use the BRC on-pack recycling

label scheme). Design packs in such a way as all the contents can be easily extracted reduces waste and eases recycling. Avoid use of logos and icons that could confuse the consumer. See Defras Green Claims Code for information. Avoid use of extraneous or additional items on packs on primary packs as they may contaminate recycling streams.


9/23

9RECYCLABILITY

Packaging Materials and Formats covered by the Guidance:

The guidance is predominantly aimed at primary packaging that arises in the household waste stream. The materials coveredrepresent the vast majority o what is ound in the grocery, electrical, home improvement retail environment. And currently covers;

Plastic packaging: bottles, rigid/semi- rigid packs, lms/bags/laminates,

Glass packaging,

Paper, Card & Corrugated board packaging,

Metal cans and aerosols, oil packaging, Composite packaging,

Compostable Packs,

Important to note that secondary and tertiary packaging are not included at present, only consumer take-homepackaging ending up in the household waste stream.


10/23

10RECYCLABILITY: PLASTIC BOTTLES

Plastic Bottles (narrow neck pack with a cap)

See Recoup guide: Recyclability by Design publication for more details - www.recoup.org/design

Topic Guidance Reason Priority

Most desirable Less desirable Least desirable

Material: Specify HDPE or PET wherepossible.

Monolayer PP, PVCor PS.Multi-layer singlematerial bottles.

Avoid multi-material,multi-layer, PLA orother biopolymerbottles where possibleand appropriate.

Facilitates higher value recyclateand closed loop recycling.Materials may move up to bemore desirable as technologyand infrastructure evolve.

High

Colour: Clear PET orNatural for PE

Pale tints of blue orgreen for PET

Black, dark coloursand opaque coloursincluding white wherepossible.

Most valuable/ easy to recycleinto high value products. Blackcannot be readily detected bysorting systems and may lead tocontamination. This advice is basedon current sorting technology andis expected to evolve from 2010onwards.

High

Label / Sleeve Label rather than sleeve Partial sleeve Full sleeve Enables bottle recognition byautomatic sorter.

High

Label materials HDPE, LDPE, MDPE, PP, OPP PET, EPS, Paper PVC, PS, Metallised For HDPE: Paper labels, shoulduse water soluable adhesive andnot pulp in the wash process.

High

Sleeve materials PE, PP sleeve (PET & PEbottles)

PVC or PS sleeves onPET and PE bottles

PVC sleeve on PET bottle maycontaminate the PET recyclingstream and cause black spots inthe rPET.

High

ConsumerCommunication(labelling):

Label all plastic bottles forrecycling. Use OPRL on-packrecycling label scheme If

appropriate.

Use clear recyclingmessaging if OPRLsystem cannot be

used (e.g. pan-European packs)

Avoid use of logos andicons on labels thatmay confuse e.g. Green

dot on packaging soldin UK only

Encourages maximum recyclingof all plastic bottles.

High

Barr iers: No physical barrier layers. Non-physical barrierlayers or thin layers(e.g. vapour deposition)

Barrier materials e.g.nylon, EVOH

Physical barrier layers hinderrecycling process.

Med


11/23

11RECYCLABILITY: PLASTIC BOTTLES

Materialidentication:

All bottles should be markedwith the SPI identicationsymbols 1-7 moulded intothe base (not recommendedon label artwork). Use SPIabbreviations for polymers;e.g. PET. Do not use otherabbreviations, PETE, APET,rPET etc.

Facilitates polymer identicationby manual recyclers.

SPI code should be used at10mm size if possible. SeeRecoup guide for full details.

See page 23 for SPi Link.

High

Closure liners: Closures with no liners/ foilor residual rings.

HDPE, LDPE, PP, EVA PVC, PU, PS, or EVA +aluminium

Eases recycling Med

Trigger sprays,other devisesetc

Label instructions fortriggers, hooks etc. to beremoved before recyclingPlastic only trigger sprays(without metal springs andball bearings are desirable)

Labelling trigger packsas fully recycable

Avoids metal contaminationif triggers get included inrecycling.

Med

Closurepolymer:

HDPE/LDPE/PP caps Metal, PS, PVC Eases recycling Med

Closures colour: Specify same colour closureas bottle

Pale colours Dark opaque colours Most valuable/ easy to recycleinto high value products

Med

Adhesives Water soluble (ordispersible) at 60-80OCor hot melt alkali solubleadhesives.

See EuPR list of hot meltshttp://www.plasticsrecyclers.eu/docs/docs/useful006.pdf

Med

Oxygenscavengers

Impact at high incidence notfully known seek advicefrom WRAP if looking toadopt.

Unless oxygen scavengersbecome more widely used theirimpact is not signicant.

Low

Direct print Avo id direct print ontopale/natural plastics unlessproduction or expiry date.

Printing onto darkplastics.

Ink could contaminate recyclateif occurring in high percentage,but currently not an issue.

Low

In mould labels Where in-mould labels aredesirable use the sameplastic as the container orthe same type.

Not a signicant issue at currentlevels.

Low


12/23

12RECYCLABILITY: PLASTIC RIGIDS

Rigid / Semi-rigid (non-bottle) Plastic Packaging (e.g. trays, pots, tubs, blister packs, clam shells)

Relatively ew people (c20-30%) have access to kerbside collection or rigid plastic packs. However this situation is changing and could change signicantly inthe next ew years, so the ollowing guidance needs to be regularly reviewed. To improve economic attractiveness o recycling non-bottle rigid plastics and tomaximize the higher value end market opportunities, there is a logic in speciying packs in the more commercially attractive polymers o PE, PET, PP. Howeverrecycling systems normally accept other polymer types and so caution should be used in labelling some polymers more recyclable than others which is notnecessarily the case. As recycling technologies develop this is one area o the guidance that is likely to evolve signicantly.



Material: Specify HDPE, PET orPP where possible andappropriate.

PS PVC, EPS, PLA, otherbiopolymers. Alsoavoid multi-material,multi-layer packs wherepossible and appropriatee.g. PVC/PE

Facilitates higher value recyclateand closed loop recycling.Materials may move up to bemore desirable as technologyand infrastructure evolve.

High

Colour: Clear PETNatural for PPNatural for PE

Pale tints of blue or greenfor PETPale colours for PP/PE

Black. Also avoid opaquedark colours wherepossible and appropriate.

Most valuable/ easy to recycleinto high value products. Blackcannot be readily detected byauto-sorting systems and maylead to contamination. Where

dark colours are required forcertain applications, use non-black colours, where possible

High

Black packs/ CPET: black packs are less likely to be accurately identied and sorted by Near Infra Red (NIR) auto sorting

technology in a recycling plant due to the nature of the current detection technology. Therefore black PET trays are likely to

be sorted into other low value polymers and not into the PET stream. Use of black enables a high percentage inclusion of post

consumer recyclate (PCR) and so has clear benets. Where possible higher value polymer packs such as PET, PE and PP should becoloured another colour other than black to help avoid them getting into lower value recyclate stream. However this discrepancy

can be used to an advantage if specifying cPET (crystalline PET) for dual oven-able packs as it avoids contamination of the PET

stream with cPET packs. Recommendation is therefore to use black for all cPET packs.


13/23


Consumer Label all plastic itemsfor recycling.Use the OPRLOn-Pack RecyclingLabel scheme.

Use clear recyclingmessaging if OPRL systemcannot be used (e.g. pan-European packs)

Try and avoid use of logosand icons that are notappropriate in the UK ormay confuse e.g. greendot

Encourages maximum recyclingof all plastic bottles

High

Barriers: No physical barrierlayers unless requiredto deliver functionalrequirements.

Barrier materials e.g.nylon, EVOH

Barriers can provide signicantbenets for performance andextending shelf life but somecan have a high impact on

recycling and could affectrecyclate quality.

High

Fillers Fillers that do not alterthe density of the basepolymer pack.

Fillers / ller proportionthat alter the density of apack.

Non-polymer llers (such aschalk) may alter the densityof a pack and hinder recyclingusing oat/sink densityseparation for akes.

Med

Sealinglayers (e.g.foil inductionseals)

Seals that leave noresidue on the basepack.

Induction/heat sealingusing polymer based seals

Heat sealing that leaves afoil layer on plastic packs.

May leave a residue that couldhamper recycling. Impact notfully known.

Med

Material

identication:

Identify polymer with

clear, legible marking(preferably mouldedin the base) with SPIidentication symbols1-7 (not recommendedon label). Use SPIabbreviations forpolymers; e.g. PETnot, PETE, APET.

Facilitates polymer identication

by manual recyclers.

SPI code should be used at10mm size if possible. SeeRecoup guide for details.

See page 23 for SPi Link.

High

Labelmaterials

Paper, HDPE, LDPE,MDPE, PP, OPP.Printed lm lids may

also reduce need forlabelling the pot/trayand therefore willaid recycling of thecontainer.

PET, EPS PVC, PS, Metallised, Nonpeel-able foil seals.

Eases recycling Med


14/23


Adhesive Water soluble (ordispersible) at 60-80OC or hot melt alkalisoluble adhesives.Labels that are gluedat a few points or theoverlap only.

Fully glued labels Adhesives that cause labelseparation or preventlabel removal duringrecycling

See EuPR list of hot meltshttp://www.plasticsrecyclers.eu/docs/docs/useful006.pdf

Med

Ovenable(cPET) packs

Specify black for cPETpacks

See above; Black trays are notdetected by NiR detection and

will reduce cPET contaminatingaPET recyclate. See above.

Med

In-mouldlabels

Avoid in-mould labels withinks that contrast in colourto the pack pigment.

If labels contrast in colour andoccurring in high percentagethen could impact on recyclatequality. Not a signicant issue atcurrent levels.

Low

Other plasticpackagingcomponentse.g. roll-ons,trigger spraysetc

Not generallyrecyclable andcommunication shouldbe labelled accordingly see earlier table.

Med


15/23

15RECYCLABILITY: PLASTIC FILM AND BAGS

Topic Guidance Reason / Further Information Priority

Material choice: Optimize for performance and down gauging. Optimize use of materials and maximizeperformance e.g. shelf life etc.

High

Labels To avoid contamination of future plastic lm waste streams,

paper labels should be avoided on plastic lms/bags.

Potential contamination of plastic recycling

stream if/when it develops.

Med

Oxo-degradable /degradable lms

Include clear consumer communication on disposal optionsto avoid confusion with conventional, compostable orbiodegradable lms.

Oxo-degradable lms are a potentialcontamination of plastic recycling streamif arising in large quantities. Also adds toconsumer confusion with biodegradablepolymers.

Med

Metallised lm/laminates

Do not refer to metallised plastic lm as foil. This could lead to contamination of thealuminium foil recycling stream.Label as plastic lm.

Med

Colour, adhesives,barriers etc

See above specify for packaging optimization rather thanrecycling.

Low

Relatively little post consumer lm is currently collected or recycling,however this situation is changing and could change signicantly in theorthcoming years, so any guidance needs to be regularly reviewed.

Currently only carrier bags have a signicant collection inrastructure. Someretailers are encouraging other PE based lm packaging e.g. cereal bags tobe deposited in the carrier bag banks. I this trend grows or is expanded theollowing guidance should be reviewed.

Choice o lm will be dictated by technical perormance, cost etc. With littlerecycling on any polymer, there is little rationale or speciying any specicpolymers. Similarly speciying mono-layer lms ahead o multi-layer lmsis not advisable, at present, i th is results in a poorer perormance and/orheavier gauge lm.

Plastic film, laminates & bags packaging (including tubes)


16/23

16RECYCLABILITY: GLASS

Glass container packaging (bottles and jars)



Colour Specify green glass wherepossible for UK sourcedcontainers.Specify clear glass wherepossible for importedcontainers or lled products.

Amber glass for UKsourced containers.

Assists in reducing colourimbalance on recycled cullet.

High

RFID tags To be avoided on glass packs. Not in common use. But willimpact on recyclability

Med

Sleeves/ print/labels:

Direct print or labels aregenerally preferred for glasspacks.

Full body sleeves forglass containers arenot the issue that theyare for plastic bottles.

Full body sleeves if occurringin large quantities may impacton glass recycling operationalefciencies.

Low


17/23

17RECYCLABILITY: CARD AND BOARD

Paper and Board packaging (e.g. cereal boxes, pizza/ready meal sleeves/boxes, detergent boxes)

Topic Guidance Reason / FurtherInformation

Priority

Wax or Latex coatings Should be avoided or labelled as not for recycling Serious contaminant to paper/boardrecycling.

High

Laminated board Board laminated on both sides with PE, PET etc., and complexor multi-material laminated board to be or labelled as not forrecycling.

Not readily recycled in paper mills and isa contaminant Med

Single sided lamination Single sided PE, PET or other plastic lamination is acceptable forrecycling.

Recycling acts on un-laminated side Low

Food contamination(light)

Board or paper packaging that is packaging food and likely tohave no/light soiling with food, can be readily recycled.

Recycling process can cope with no/lightfood soiling.

Low

Food contamination(heavy)

Board or paper packaging that is packaging food and likely tohave heavy soiling with food, particularly fats, should not belabelled for recycling e.g. butter wraps, fast food take-awaypackaging etc.

Acts as a contaminant and reducesrecyclate quality.

Med

Print, labels &decoration:

Avoid / minimise plastic and foil coated labels and coatings wherepossible. Paper labels are not an issue.

Reduces recyclability and recyclatequality.

Med

Coatings & inks Specify water based coatings and simple polymer coatings ifnecessary.

Reduces recyclability and recyclatequality.

Med

Board in direct contactwith food

Little or lightly soiled board packaging can be recycled readily.However heavy contamination with food especially fatty foodsmust not be recycled.

Contamination risk for recycling if heavilysoiled.

Med

Inserts/ ttings Specify and design card ttings and inserts to avoid risk ofcontamination.

Avoid risk of contamination. Med


18/23

18RECYCLABILITY: CARD AND BOARD

Cut out windows: Only use window material in cartons if necessary.If a window is needed then;- Provide clear instructions for consumers to remove window lmbefore recycling.- Specifying cellulose Acetate window (or other homecompostable polymer) may enable the pack to be composted(which may be an option for some Local Authority areas).

Helps avoids contamination of paperrecycling with plastic / other lms.

Med

Plastic componentse.g. blisters stuck to

board.

Instruction to remove plastic blister before recycling.Design for ease of separation.

Avoid contamination with plastic. Med

Metal components Metal components/bases and lids welded to paper / cardcontainers may render the pack un-recyclable. Instructions toremove metal component before recycling where possible.

The metal components render the packsnon recyclable.

Med

Corrugated Board packaging (electrical and household appliances etc)


Priority

Labels Avoid plast ic labels i f poss ib le and use direct print or paper labels. Reduces recyclabi li ty and recyclatequality.

Med

Fibre based packaging (e.g. moulded paper or other fibre packaging trays, punnets, egg boxes etc)


Priority

Moulded paper pulppackaging

Made from short paper bres, which can be handled in a paperrecycling process. They are readily recycled or composted athome.

No recycling issue Low

As Card packaging above, plusthe additional point;

As Card packaging above, plusthe additional point;


19/23

19RECYCLABILITY: METAL


Labelling:drinks cans/aerosols

Label all steel and aluminium drinks cans, food cans andaerosols for recycling.

Encourage greater recycling rates on steel andaluminium packaging

Med

Labelling:aluminium trays

Aluminium trays containers are not as widely collected forrecycling and should carry the check local recycling labelunder the OPRL on-pack recycling label scheme where the

brand owner/retailer is a registered scheme member. Plus theAluminium id symbol on the pack (preferably embossed on pack)

Register to use the OPRL on-pack recycling labelscheme. This is based on what local authoritieswill actually accept for recycling.

Med

Aluminiumtrays colouredlacquer

Avoid the use of coloured lacquer on aluminium trays if possible. May reduce recyclate quality if occurring in highpercentage.

Med

Aerosol cans Design aerosols for the plastic caps to be readily removed beforerecycling. Label all aerosols for recycling (once emptied).

Avoids contamination of bales by lower valueplastic.

Med

Sleeves/ print/labels:

Full body sleeves, labels or direct print. Choice of decorationdoes not have a signicant impact on recycling. Direct print orlabels are preferred.

Allows for ease of recycling and minimumcontamination.

Low

Most local authorities collect steel and aluminium drink and ood cans as well as aerosol cans or recycling. Over 50% also collect aluminium ood trays butthere is also a strong network o community/charity groups that collect and recycle aluminium oil packaging including oil lids, wrappers and kitchen oil. SeeAlupro or details www.alupro.org.uk

Steel/Aluminium container packaging (drinks cans, food cans, aerosols, food & pet food trays)

Considerations:


20/23

20RECYCLABILITY: COMPOSTABLE

Compostable Packaging

Compostable packaging can be bre based (e.g. paper pulp) orbiopolymer based.

Fibre based packs (e.g. egg boxes) may be home composted or otenincluded in the card/paper recycling stream.

Biopolymer packaging can provide lightweighting and perormancebenets especially in resh produce, so there may be applications wherecompostable packaging is the most appropriate choice o material when

considering overall packaging and product optimisation e.g. to extend shellie and reduce ood waste.

However there is currently no infrastructure to collectcompostable biopolymer packaging from householdsand deliver them to commercial composting facilities.Compostable packaging (other than caddy liners)placed in with food waste will currently be treated as acontaminant and could result in the load being rejected.Therefore all compostable packs should include cleardisposal instructions.

Home compostable biopolymer packaging may be labelled or homecomposting i applicable, but also needs disposal inormation or thosehouseholders who do not have access to home composting (i.e. not

currently recycled). Currently c40% o all UK homes with an outdoor spacehas a compost bin/heap.

Best practice is or only certied home compostable packaging to beused in the UK. This certies that the packaging is compostable undertypical conditions ound in home compost bins. The European standardor compostability is EN 13432 see www.dincertco.de , but this is orconditions ound in industrial composting acilities only. UK local authorities

do not currently accept these materials into their ood waste collectionsystems (apart rom caddy liners). The OK Compost - Home scheme (seewww.vincotte.com) is based on EN 13432, but the testing is at lowertemperature or a longer duration. Oxo-degradable plastics do not conormto EN 13432 or OK Compost Home standard and must not be labelled ascompostable.

I a pack is to be certied as compostable all its packaging elements needto be compostable e.g. label, tray, lid. For urther inormation contactAssociation for Organics Recycling (previously The CompostingAssociation) www.organics-recycling.org.uk

See www.wrap.org.uk/downloads/Material_Considerations.98c071d9.4480.pd or urther background.

Considerations:


Material choice: Specify home compostable materials where possible. Facilitates home composting disposal. High

Certication: Specify certied compostable materials that conform toEuropean standard EN13432, and preferably Home Compostableto AFOR Home Compostable Standard or OK Compost Home

(or similar).

Ensures compostability and biodegradation.Will help build condence for future collectioninitiatives. See Association for Organics Recycling

AFOR, AIB Vincotte, Din Certco (see page 23)

High

Labelling Clearly labelling for disposal. Home compost / residual bin onlyunless bre based packaging (see above)

To help avoid contamination of recyclingstreams.

High


21/23

21RECYCLABILITY: COMPOSITE


Labelling Label clearly for recycling or disposal.

Drinks Cartons: label for recycling with link to website forbank location.

Encourage greater recycling rates on food anddrink cartons.See www.ace-uk.co.uk/recycling.html

Med

Plastic caps etc Drink Cartons: Plastic caps and openings that are attached to thedrinks cartons do not disrupt the carton recycling. Other plasticsleeves, etc should not be included.

Risk of contamination Low

Composite Packaging (e.g. spiral cord packs with metal bases, food and drink cartons, foil and plasticlaminated pouches )

Generally composite packs are a combination o packaging materials thatcannot be readily separated and hence they are normally classed as notcurrently recycled and should be labelled such. However as the range ocomposite packs is so varied and new combinations are requently beingdeveloped, it is not possible to be too prescriptive. Some packs such as

drink cartons have a more developed collection inrastructure and can carryrecycling messages. PRAG recommend that users o such packaging contactWRAP to seek greater clarication.


22/23

22INFORMATION

On-Pack Labelling

I your business makes, lls, sells or handles packaging or packagingmaterials, then you must comply with packaging regulations.

I your business produces or handles packaging and you ail to comply withthe regulations you could be prosecuted and ned.

The packaging waste regulations ensure that businesses are responsible orrecovering and recycling UK packaging waste.

There are two sets o regulations you may need to comply with:

The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations apply to you i yourbusiness produces packaged products, or places packaging or packagedgoods on the market.

The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulationsapply to you i your business handles more than 50 tonnes o packaging ina year and has a turnover o more than 2 million.

For urther details visit: http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/63254.aspx?gclid=CPbyiJ2UwJgCFQxHQwodKBd-aw or Envirowise ree Adviceline on0800 585794.

BS EN ISO 14021:2001 Environmental labels and declarations. Sel-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling).www.bsi-global.com

The European Committee or Standardization (CEN) develops standardswhich also cover packaging and packaging waste. These cover such issuesas child resistant packaging, compostable packaging, material recycling etc.see www.cen.eu

http://www.cen.eu/cenorm/sectors/sectors/transportandpackaging/packaging/ppw.asp

Legislation

The new BRC on-pack recycling label (OPRL) scheme, which is beingsupported by WRAP, was launched in March 2009. The scheme aims toprovide brand owners and retailers with a standardised label ormat, basedon the Recycle Now iconography, to inorm consumers what packaging iscurrently collected or recycling; it is not about how to speciy packaging tomaximise recyclability.

For example a clear PET plastic bottle with a label will carry the samewidely recycled symbol as a dark colour PET bottle with a ull sleeve, yetone has a greater ability to be recycled eciently and eectively than theother. Companies who wish to use the new label will need to register viathe schemes website (www.onpackrecyclinglabel.org.uk). Anannual ee is charged to cover costs o monitoring and administering thescheme.

There are three on-pack recycling label categories:

Widely recycled where 65% or more o local authorities havecollection acilities or that packaging type in their area

Check local recycling where 15% to 65% o local authorities

have collection acilities or that packaging type in their area

Not currently recycled where less than 15% o local authoritieshave collection acilities or that packaging type in their area.

Packaging ormats and materials that are currently classed as notcurrently recycled, may be the more appropriate materialand have a lower environmental impact than one that iswidely recycled e.g. a plastic bag. A desire or positive labellingin this respect should not solely dictate material choice.


23/23

23INFORMATION

General Packaging: INCPEN - The Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment: www.incpen.orgEUROPEN - The European Organization for Packaging and the Environment: www.europen.beThe Packaging Federation www.packagingfedn.co.ukDefra Green Claims Code www.defra.gov.uk/environment/consumerprod/glc/index.htmEnvirowise - www.envirowise.gov.uk see A Guide to Packaging Eco-design publication.WRAP The Guide to Evolving Packaging Design www.wrap.org.uk/retail/design

Retail sector: BRC: British Retail Consortium www.brc.org.uk

General Recycling: RecycleNow www.recyclenow.com

Recycling Expert: www.recyclingexpert.co.ukRecycle-More www.recycle-more.co.uk

Recycling Labelling: On-pack recycling label www.onpackrecyclinglabel.co.uk

Plastics: British Plastics Federation: www.bpf.co.ukPackaging and Films Association (PAFA) www.pafa.org.ukRecoup: www.recoup.orgPlastics Europe: www.plasticseurope.orgEuropean Plastics Recyclers (EuPR): www.plasticsrecyclers.euSPI (Society of Plastics Industry) www.plasticsindustry.orgAmerican Plastics Council: www.americanchemistry.com

Metals: Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association: www.mpma.org.ukAlupro: www.alupro.org.uk

Steel Can Recycling Information Bureau: www.scrib.org

Paper/board/corrugate: CPI (Confederation of Paper Industries) www.paper.org.ukPro Carton: European Association of Carton and Cartonboard manufacturers www.procarton.comBPIF (British Printing Industries Federation) www.bipf.org.ukLabelling scheme for certied schemes: www.scscertied.com/forestry/PDFS/FSC-STD-40-201%20(version2.0)%20Approved%202004.PDF

Glass: British Glass www.britglass.org.ukand www.recyclingglass.co.ukGlass Recycling UKwww.glassrecycle.co.uk

Food & Drinks Cartons: ACE (The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment UK)www.ace-uk.co.uk

Compostable Packaging: Association For Organics Recycling (AFOR): www.organics-recycling.org.uk

European Bioplastics: www.european-bioplastics.orgDin Certco www.dincertco.de/en/about_us/our_marks_of_conformity/index.htmlAIB Vincotte www.vincotte.com/Frontmodules/EN/diensten_dom_detail.asp?lang=ENNational Non Food Crops Centre (NNFCC) www.nnfcc.co.uk/

Documents

Packaging and Recyclability Nov 09 PRAG.03784b30