Packaging can contain a high recycled share and still be difficult to recycle again. It can also contain no recycled material while being well designed for the appropriate recycling stream.
Recycled content looks back
It describes the share of material used to make a product that comes from recycling. Determining it reliably requires data on suppliers, material origin, recipes, dosing and the material balance.
Recyclability looks ahead
It assesses whether the design of a product, particularly packaging, allows it to be collected, sorted and recycled effectively in the relevant system.
Example 1: high recycled content, poor design
A bottle may contain a high share of rPET but have components that hinder identification or recycling. High recycled content does not eliminate design problems.
Example 2: no recycled content, good design
Packaging made from virgin plastic may be designed to be highly compatible with an existing recycling stream. The absence of recycled material does not automatically mean poor recyclability.
Which RecyClass schemes address these aspects?
- Recycled Plastics Traceability focuses on traceability and recycled content further along the value chain;
- RecyClass Recyclability focuses on the technical assessment of packaging design;
- Recycling Process concerns the process of producing recycled material from waste.
PPWR also distinguishes these questions
Article 6 of PPWR concerns packaging recyclability, while Article 7 concerns minimum post-consumer recycled content in specified plastic packaging.
Key takeaway
Professional communication should always make clear whether it concerns material origin or the possibility of recycling the product again. Combining both concepts into a single claim can be misleading.