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.

RECOUP have developed a PET/PE Fact Sheet, showing the use of PET/PE for packaging together with opinions from the recycling industry. This is in response to a number of queries from members.

Evaluation of a selection of plastic toys, focusing on the material types and components, what these materials are and why they are used, and the reasons why they cannot be recycled.

Outlines work between pack manufacturer, packer-filler, and retailer with the aim of improving the recyclability of meat packaging. The Case Study highlights work by Pilgrim’s UK, Co-op & Klockner Pentaplast changing to a Mono rPET base film without a PE sealing layer as a recyclable packaging solution.

Focusing on the fundamentals of packaging design with an emphasis on design for recyclability without putting the responsibility onto the consumer.

Demonstrating how switching materials in packaging can impact its recyclability and explaining the importance of on-pack claims being clear and not misleading.

This case study highlights selected packaging within the DIY sector, looking at how items are packaged, what materials are used and how they can be improved.

Examining the recyclability of the products used On-the-Go

This case study highlights selected packaging within the beauty and personal care sector, looking at how items are packaged, what materials are used and how they can be improved.