Recyclability guidelines, such as RECOUP Recyclability by Design, have been instrumental in driving improvements in packaging quality. This includes recommendations on the use of sleeves and labels on PET bottles. However, as one of RECOUP aims is to promote discussion and cooperation between stakeholders in the industry, it is encouraging to report that improvements have been made by both packaging manufacturers and the recycling industry to overcome some of the challenges to enable labels and sleeves to be used while not adversely affecting the recycling of clear PET bottles.

Recyclability By Design is RECOUP’s Recyclability guidelines publication.

As we approach the end of 2024, the RECOUP Packaging Team has reflected on a dynamic year filled with both accomplishments and challenges. As we reflect on the last 12months, the RECOUP Packaging Team is committed to building on these experiences, addressing challenges head-on, and supporting our members. We look forward to an even more impactful 2025!  Here’s a roundup of some key highlights and initiatives that defined our efforts.

How designers and manufacturers can maximise the recyclability of plastic packaging products. Provides detailed guidance for a variety of polymers, with tables summarising best practice for the main component of the packaging, as well as other components such as lids and labels.

A plastic plant pot is a container used for growing and is a form packaging, a plastic pot, tub, or tray is also a container, yet a plastic plant pot is only collected by less than 10% of local authorities in kerbside recycling in comparison to plastic pots, tubs and trays which are collected by 88% of local authorities at kerbside. What are the barriers preventing this valuable material from being collected and what is needed to overcome these?

Design tips for making rigid plastic packaging more recyclable.

Aimed at people new to the packaging industry this booklet covers many design principles to improve the recyclability of plastics packaging from the design stage.  It covers the important components of packaging including additives and barriers, adhesives, labels, and colourants, to help packaging designers make informed decisions.

Understanding Material Sorting aims to educate readers about how packaging placed in kerbside collections gets detected and sorted by recovery facilities, from the entrance hall, right through to the final baled materials. The case study looks at common issues such as small items, which get lost early in the process and end up with the glass recycling, as well as a detailed breakdown of how near infrared spectroscopy is used to determine which polymers packaging is made from to capture the packs for recycling.

The public pressure to reduce plastic content in packaging is being felt by brands and manufacturers.  This has led to an increase in enquiries by RECOUP members into the use of fillers such as calcium carbonate in rigid packaging such as polypropylene pots.

In response to this RECOUP has published a fact sheet to help our members to better understand the benefits and drawbacks to using calcium carbonate fillers in packaging, and how this influences the recycling process.