RECOUP refreshes guidelines around recyclability and design
RECOUP’s guideline document for Packaging Technologists and Pack Developers who use plastic packaging has been refreshed and revised for Spring 2015 to encourage and increase recyclability.
‘Recyclability by Design’ provides guidelines for those wishing to make their packaging more recyclable and also provides information concerning the sectors of the plastic recycling chain, to enable brand owners to ensure that their packaging will not inadvertently interfere with plastic recycling schemes.
The Spring 2015 edition is the fifth version of the guide, which incorporates a refreshed look and feel to the document, and also additional chapters, contributed by RECOUP members and contacts.
RECOUP Packaging Technologist, Paul East, who compiled the 76-page document, explained: “The new version has been well supported by a collaboration of RECOUP members and contacts from across the supply chain.
“By contributing their knowledge and time to produce new chapters, the aim is to both increase the awareness of recyclability and also provide a positive view of plastic packaging, by provoking debate about the sustainable functionally of packaging.”
Stuart Foster, RECOUP CEO, added; “It is inevitable that better design of products for recycling will be needed to achieve longer term circular economy goals, and we fully expect this element of any new EU resource proposals to be retained or even strengthened.”
RECOUP requested contributions from all sections of the supply chain to achieve a balanced viewpoint.
Alan Davey, Linpac Packaging, a contributor to this edition of the guide, added: “It’s important that we make recycling as efficient as it can be for those products in the market, and this guide moves us another substantial step in the right direction. Of course recycling must never be an end in its own right, or we will make retrograde decisions that actually harm the environment and stifle innovation”
A further view from the packaging manufacturing sector was received from RPC. Katherine Fleet commented: “Barrier plastics play an important role in preserving and keeping food fresh and thus help to minimise food waste but this is by no means their only environmental benefit. It is very important that we promote the message that barrier plastics are currently recyclable and can therefore make a major contribution to a company’s sustainability and CSR programmes.”
Contributions also include a view from the recycling industry on how product design and material selection can help improve the commercial viability to recycle more pots, tubs and trays. It also features an update from Milliken on the latest technology now available for producing ultra-clear polypropylene recyclable packaging.
RECOUP says it believes that the quality of flake and pellet produced, and ultimately the quality of products made from recycled material, can be improved by encouraging product designers to consider the recyclability of their plastic pack during the design stage.
The new version is now available to download from the RECOUP website; www.recoup.org