New online tool tells users just how ‘green’ their packaging is

Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE), Europe’s plastic recycling industry body, has launched a new tool that it says can help packaging manufacturers improve the recyclability of their products.

During the group’s conference, entitled ‘Let’s work together on plastics packaging design’ at the InterPack Trade Fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, PRE explained that the ultimate aim of the tool is to improve the design of plastics packaging in respect to its recyclability.

In a video message from the European Commissioner for the Environment, Janez Potočnik stated that: “Recycling starts in the product design phase. The key to more sustainable plastics is better design of plastics and plastics products.”

“RecyClass is based on the existing recycling guidelines, the functioning of today’s recycling markets and the experience of the plastics recyclers,” said Paolo Glerean (PRE Board Member). “The users of the tool can instinctively understand how to improve the recyclability of their packaging,” Glerean added.

Dr. Michael Scriba (PRE Board Member) said: “This tool is an opportunity for the industry to work together, learn mutually and improve the position of plastic packaging on the EU markets.”

The RecyClass tool enables assessment of any kind of plastic packaging, claims PRE. Users are said to be able to obtain information on how environmentally-friendly their packaging is, and provides improvement ideas for packaging design. It is now available online (www.recyclass.eu) in English and German languages for a free trial period of six months.

The conference was attended by plastics converters, recyclers, packaging designers and brand owners.