Encouraging design of products to ensure they can be recycled in an environmentally sound and economically viable way is crucial to improving recycling rates for the material, according to plastics recycling body Recoup.
This is among the messages in its updated Recyclability by Design guide, published today (June 10), aimed at encouraging plastic packaging producers to give greater emphasis to recyclability of products at the design stage.
First launched in 2006, with an updated version subsequently published in 2009, the guide also aims to ensure that packaging designers do not design products in a way that they interfere with existing plastic recycling schemes.
Recoup has worked to refresh the version published in 2009 to bring it in line with advances in technology in the packaging sector, as well as greater information on the use of bioplastics in products and more focus on why packaging producers should seek to follow the guidance.
The guide looks at every stage of the recycling process, covering all forms of rigid plastic packaging including plastic bottles and rigid plastic pots, tubs and trays, and seeks to promote recycling that is more environmentally sound and commercially viable once it becomes waste.
In its introduction to the document, Recoup says that by following the guidance packaging producers should to ensure that they are compliant with the relevant legislation relating to the design of plastic packaging, to minimise recycling costs and to meet societal expectations around recycling.
Quality
In addition, Recoup says, consistent generation of high quality recovered plastic materials will help overcome quality and consistency issues in the recycled plastics supply chain that have been experienced in the past.
Commenting on the release of the updated document, Recoup chief executive Stuart Forster, said: This one of the key pillars of Recoup work for the foreseeable future, and the real goal is to ensure reprocessors can recycle the plastics supplied to them in a commercially viable way, without stifling innovation or restricting choice for the packaging industry. It is also imperative that wider environmental factors such as carbon and material saving are considered as part of sustainable packaging design.
The organisation plans to release further updates on a more regular basis, with work already underway on a technical update to incorporate the latest research in the packaging design field, due to be published later this year.
Paul East, packaging technologist at Recoup, said: The Recyclability by Design guide allows all involved with the design of plastic packaging to more accurately consider recyclability of their own packaging, before placing products on the market. We promote this heavily to all parts of the packaging design and procurement. Recoup believes there is still not enough focus on the reasons why recyclability has to be an important consideration at the onset of pack design.
The guide is available to be downloaded via the Recoup website.
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