Driving global harmonisation for recyclability

This partnership is indispensable to drive unified, fact-based approach to recyclability and to bring clarity for the whole value chain, specifically brand owners and retailers who operate on the multinational markets.

“RecyClass mission, beyond supporting the industry in redesigning plastic packaging and boosting recycled material in new products, is to harmonize the approach toward recyclability assessment”, said Fabrizio di Gregorio, Technical Director at Plastics Recyclers Europe. “Given the similarities when it comes to the products placed on the markets globally, such harmonization can help make the packaging production systems more efficient and at the same time accelerate significantly the transition toward circularity”, he added.

This collaboration includes establishment of a common workplan to align and review the existing documents with an objective to identify potential gaps, consolidate existing methodologies and map additional testing methods. The first deliverables focused on aligning the guidelines and protocols for flexible plastics are expected at the beginning of 2023.

“The purpose of design guides is to ensure packages can be processed through the recycling infrastructure with the highest yield and best quality impact. Since the European and North American recycling infrastructures operate on many of the same principles, it is possible to harmonize much of the guidance. I’m excited that RecyClass and APR are making efforts to communicate and coordinate. These efforts benefit the entire packaging industry and circular economy,” said Curt Cozart, Chief Operating Officer at APR

The two organizations endorsed a common definition of recyclability back in 2018 which stipulates that to be considered recyclable, a product must be able to be collected and sorted in sufficient quantities. It must be as well compatible with existing industrial recycling processes or be available in sufficient quantities to justify the development of new recycling processes to become a raw material for new products.[1]

This partnership is an important effort to harmonise the standards available on the market. RecyClass, together with APR, is prone to collaborate with other organizations willing to make plastic products compatible with recycling and deliver on the EU targets of making all plastic packaging recyclable by 2030.

[1] Definition of recyclability

^{About RecyClass
RecyClass is a non-profit, cross-industry initiative advancing recyclability, bringing transparency to the origin of plastic waste and establishing a harmonized approach toward recycled plastic calculation & traceability in Europe. RecyClass develops Recyclability Evaluation Protocols and scientific testing methods for innovative plastic packaging materials which serve as the base for the Design for Recycling Guidelines and the RecyClass Online Tool. RecyClass established Recyclability Certifications for plastic packaging, Recycling Process Certification and Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification for plastic products.}

^{RecyClass – Plastic Future is Circular
Follow the latest news on RecyClass channels:  LinkedIn |  Twitter |  YouTube
Contact: [email protected], www.recyclass.eu}

^{About APR
The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) is The Voice of Plastics Recycling®.  As the international trade association representing the plastics recycling industry, membership includes independent recycling companies of all sizes, processing numerous resins, as well as consumer product companies, equipment manufacturers, testing laboratories, organizations, and others committed to the success of plastics recycling. APR advocates the recycling of all plastics. Visit www.PlasticsRecyling.org for more information.}