The ‘Plastics Packaging – Recyclability by Design' publication includes an increased focus on the burgeoning mixed plastics recycling sector and builds on the original 2006 guide which was aimed at improving the design of plastics packaging for collection, sorting and reprocessing.
Over the past few years Recyclability by Design has proven to be a key tool and reference point to many
John Simmons, Recoup
The new report, which was compiled with increased international consultation and guidance, labels mixed plastics “one of the most visible remaining components of the domestic waste bin”, and also includes a new section on bioplastics.
John Simmons, chief executive of Recoup, said: “Over the past few years Recyclability by Design has proven to be a key tool and reference point to many. Recoup is very much aware of the pressures that face all of those involved in plastics packaging and recycling, not just today but looking ahead.”
“We completely recognise that for many pack producers this is not an overnight change and that particularly in terms of introducing additional plastic containers, for instance, mixed plastics, into the UK and European plastics packaging recycling stream we are in the early days, hence the guide will remain dynamic,” he added.
In the guidance notes, Recoup stated that the publication is likely to experience a “number of ongoing revisions” in the future, reflecting activity and progress being made in the sector, adding that these would come “particularly in the ‘mixed plastics packaging' section”.
International
The author of the guide, consultant Dr Steve Anderson, explained that the original guidance had been developed to help multinational companies by having standardised guidelines which would help to satisfy the recycling needs of the countries their products are sold into.
He said: “Today, this is equally valid and indeed the need for standard international guidelines has become even more important as retailers increasingly seek to source their products from outside their home country. It is good to see that the original guide has had a lot of use and excellent publicity.”
“The fact that even more packaging organisations have been consulted worldwide, and the guide updated to take account of recent developments in technology including the addition of specific sections on bioplastics and mixed plastics, should make it even more relevant to today's packaging designers, specifiers and procurers,” he added.
Early next month Recoup also plans to release UK-focused guidance entitled ‘A practical guide to domestic mixed plastics packaging recycling', offering a set of specifications and standard guidelines for mixed plastic recycling aimed at councils and the recycling industry.
Subscribe for free