AlmalandEnquire
Menu
HomeCertificationWho we work withAboutKnowledge baseContactEnquire
KNOWLEDGE BASE / PACKAGING AND RECYCLABILITY

Is your packaging truly designed for recycling?

Recyclability depends on the entire packaging, not only its main polymer

A PET bottle, PE film or PP container may include features that change its sorting behaviour, recycling process or the final quality of the recovered material.

Features that can change the outcome
a label or shrink sleeve
adhesive, printing and decoration
a barrier or multilayer structure
colour and behaviour during NIR sorting
a closure, seal or other component
DESIGN FOR RECYCLING

Design starts with the intended recycling stream

RECYCLABILITY
RecyClass Recyclability
Assessment and certification of packaging design.
SORTABILITY
NIR and packaging identification
Why colour, sleeves and construction affect routing to the right stream.
COMPATIBILITY
Components and the recycling process
How labels, adhesives and additives affect the quality of secondary material.
ARTICLES

Practical design decisions

97. RecyClass certificate for packaging: bottle, container, tray and an illustrative certificate

Packaging and recyclability

RecyClass Certificate for Packaging – Design for Recycling and Recyclability Certification

Packaging can be assessed for compliance with design-for-recycling guidelines or for recyclability in particular countries. The appropriate RecyClass route depends on the design, target markets and the evidence your customer needs.

◷
6
min read

Read article →

RecyClass certificate for packaging, RecyClass certification, Design for Recycling Certification, Recyclability Certification, Letter of Compatibility, DfR, recyclable packaging

Packaging changes after RecyClass certification: when reassessment is needed

Packaging and recyclability

Packaging changes after RecyClass certification: when reassessment is needed

RecyClass certification applies to the packaging configuration that was assessed. Changes to materials, labels, sleeves, adhesives, closures, colour, printing or barriers can affect recyclability and should pass through change control before implementation.

◷
5
min read

Read article →

packaging changes after certification, RecyClass change control, packaging redesign, equivalent packaging, label change, sleeve change, certification scope, Design for Recycling

RecyClass equivalent packaging: when variants can share one certificate

Packaging and recyclability

RecyClass equivalent packaging: when variants can share one certificate

Several packaging variants can share a RecyClass certification scope when their differences do not affect the assessment result. Equivalent packaging is not an automatic product-family designation: each variant needs documented comparison with the master packaging.

◷
5
min read

Read article →

RecyClass equivalent packaging, master packaging, packaging variants, SKU certification, certificate extension, grace period, material composition, packaging equivalence

RecyClass Technology Approval: testing and approval of packaging innovations

Packaging and recyclability

RecyClass Technology Approval: testing and approval of packaging innovations

A new adhesive, barrier, ink, additive or other feature may need testing if current Design for Recycling Guidelines do not cover it. RecyClass Technology Approval provides a defined assessment route for its compatibility with a particular recycling stream.

◷
5
min read

Read article →

RecyClass Technology Approval, packaging innovation, Recyclability Evaluation Protocols, Technical Committee, Steering Board, recognised testing facility, B2B claims

Labels and sleeves: how decoration affects packaging recyclability

Packaging and recyclability

Labels and sleeves: how decoration affects packaging recyclability

Labels, sleeves and their attachment systems affect much more than appearance. They can influence polymer detection, component separation, washing and recyclate quality, so RecyClass assesses them as integral parts of the packaging design.

◷
4
min read

Read article →

labels sleeves recyclability, label adhesive compatibility, shrink sleeve NIR, packaging decoration, label coverage, density separation, RecyClass packaging, washing test

Packaging sortability and NIR: why a pack can enter the wrong recycling stream

Packaging and recyclability

Packaging sortability and NIR: why a pack can enter the wrong recycling stream

A sorting facility identifies a physical object, not the material description in a specification. Dimensions, shape, decorations and optical response can send PET, PE or PP packaging to the wrong stream, making sortability an essential part of recyclability assessment.

◷
4
min read

Read article →

packaging sortability, NIR sorting, near infrared, RecyClass Sorting Evaluation Protocol, sleeve detection, packaging dimensions, pigments, optical sorting, recycling stream

Letter of Compatibility, Design for Recycling or Recyclability Certification?

Packaging and recyclability

Letter of Compatibility, Design for Recycling or Recyclability Certification?

Choosing the right RecyClass route starts with the product stage and the purpose of the assessment. A semi-finished component, a finished packaging design and a pack assessed for a specific market require different evidence and support different communication options.

◷
5
min read

Read article →

Letter of Compatibility, LoC, Design for Recycling Certification, DfR, Recyclability Certification, RecyClass comparison, semi-finished packaging, B2C claims, certification route

RecyClass classes A, B and C: how to interpret packaging recyclability

Packaging and recyclability

RecyClass classes A, B and C: how to interpret packaging recyclability

RecyClass classes describe how packaging design affects sorting, material losses and the quality of the resulting recyclate. A is the highest class, while B and C are also positive recyclability outcomes under the current methodology. Read the class together with the assessment report and its scope.

◷
6
min read

Read article →

RecyClass classes A B C, packaging recyclability class, class A RecyClass, class B RecyClass, class C RecyClass, not recyclable, PPWR grades, recycled content

RecyClass Online Tool: packaging self-assessment and certification

Packaging and recyclability

RecyClass Online Tool: packaging self-assessment and certification

The RecyClass Online Tool helps companies assess and improve packaging designs before certification. Its report can indicate a potential outcome and areas for improvement, but it does not replace an independent audit or constitute a RecyClass certificate.

◷
5
min read

Read article →

RecyClass Online Tool, packaging self-assessment, recyclability tool, Design for Recycling, RecyClass report, packaging certification, PPWR technical documentation

Design for Recycling: 10 packaging checks

Packaging and recyclability

Design for Recycling: 10 packaging checks

Start by breaking the packaging down into all its components and assigning the correct recycling stream. Then assess the main material, components, decoration and functional features that could affect sorting, material losses or recyclate quality.

◷
5
min read

Read article →

Design for Recycling, packaging checklist, RecyClass DfR, recyclable packaging design, recycling guidelines, packaging labels, adhesives, barriers

Packaging recyclability: what does it mean in practice?

Packaging and recyclability

Packaging recyclability: what does it mean in practice?

Recyclability concerns the complete packaging and its entire journey after use. It includes collection and sorting, the behaviour of labels, sleeves, adhesives, closures, barriers, additives and printing during recycling, and the quality of the resulting secondary material.

◷
5
min read

Read article →

packaging recyclability, RecyClass, recyclable packaging, Design for Recycling, sorting, recyclate quality, classes A B C, recycled content

How does rPET content affect the properties of PET packaging?

Packaging and recyclability

How does rPET content affect the properties of PET packaging?

The effect of rPET on packaging is not determined by the recycled-content percentage alone. Feedstock quality, thermal history, intrinsic viscosity, contamination, additives, preform design and processing settings all influence the result.

◷
2
min read

Read article →

rPET bottle properties, recycled PET packaging, rPET mechanical properties, PET oxygen transmission rate, OTR, intrinsic viscosity, PET bottle quality

Producing rPET packaging: key process and quality requirements

Packaging and recyclability

Producing rPET packaging: key process and quality requirements

Producing rPET packaging requires control of feedstock quality and origin, drying, process stability, preform characteristics and finished-pack performance. A declared recycled-content percentage alone does not establish that production is stable.

◷
2
min read

Read article →

rPET packaging production, rPET bottles, PET preforms, rPET quality control, recycled PET content, PET drying, blow moulding, material traceability

PACKAGING AS A SYSTEM

Every component can affect material recovery

Body
Main polymer and geometry.
Decoration
Label, sleeve, printing and adhesive.
Components
Closure, seal, pump and additives.
Process
Sorting, washing, separation and the quality of recycled material.
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is mono-material packaging automatically recyclable?

No. Additives, decorations, sortability, process behaviour and the quality of recovered material also matter.

Does high recycled content mean high recyclability?

No. Recycled content and recyclability are separate characteristics.

Is the result of the online tool a certificate?

No. It is a self-assessment, not an independent certificate issued by a certification body.

WHAT OFTEN CHANGES THE RESULT

Recyclability depends on the entire packaging construction

Two packs made mainly from the same polymer can behave very differently during sorting and recycling. Every design feature matters.

MAIN MATERIAL

The polymer type and its share are the starting point, but do not alone determine the result for the whole packaging.

LABELS AND SLEEVES

The coverage, material, density and separation behaviour of a label or sleeve can affect packaging identification and subsequent process stages.

ADHESIVES AND PRINTING

The adhesive, printing ink and application method can affect washing, separation, recovered plastic quality and the material's further use.

BARRIERS AND MULTILAYER STRUCTURES

Functional layers may improve packaging performance, but their compatibility with the relevant recycling stream requires a separate assessment.

CLOSURES AND COMPONENTS

Caps, valves, dispensers, seals, inserts and other elements may behave differently from the main packaging body.

SORTABILITY

Colour, geometry, label coverage and material properties can affect recognition by optical sorting systems and routing to the correct stream.

RELATED AREAS

Connect packaging design with market requirements

Design recyclability, recycled content and legal obligations are separate but connected topics.

RecyClass Recyclability

Explore assessment pathways and the scope of technical packaging analysis.

For packaging manufacturers

See the requirements from the manufacturer's and converter's perspective.

PPWR and legislation

Check timelines, obligations and the relationship between legislation and certification.

PACKAGING

Want to assess a packaging design before changing or launching it?

Explore RecyClass Recyclability or contact Almaland.

RecyClass RecyclabilityAsk about an assessment →