Plastic recycling member body RECOUP has released an updated version of its guideline document for plastic packaging technologists and pack developers, ‘Recyclability by Design’.

Covering all forms of rigid plastic packaging (and some forms of flexible plastics packaging), the document 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’.

According to RECOUP, by encouraging product designers to consider the recyclability of their plastic pack during the design stage, companies can help improve the quality of flake and pellet produced, and ultimately the quality of products made from recycled material.

Spring 2015 version details

The Spring 2015 edition is the fifth version of the guide, and incorporates a refreshed look and also additional chapters, contributed by RECOUP members and contacts. These include:

• ‘The Colour Of Bottle Caps’, by Closed Loop Recycling;
• ‘No Barrier To Plastic Recyclability’, by RPC;
• ‘Challenges in Recycling of Expanded Polystyrene’, by Renmar & Artec
• ‘Packaging Support Recyclability Guidance’, by Morrisons; and
• ‘Laminated Packaging Recycling’, by Enval (which is currently undertaking a government-funded laminated packaging recycling trial)

‘Provoking debate about the sustainable functionally of packaging’

Speaking of the update, RECOUP Packaging Technologist Paul East, who compiled the 76-page document, said: “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.”

Chief Executive Officer of RECOUP Stuart Foster 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.”

The updated guide has been welcomed by members of the plastic industry, with Alan Davey of Linpac Packaging (who also contributed to the guide), commenting: “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.”

The Spring 2015 version of ‘Recyclability by Design’ is available to download free of charge from the RECOUP website.