Reconomy partners with Polytag to cut packaging waste, improve recyclability

Reconomy, a London-based circular economy specialist, has partnered with Polytag, a United Kingdom-based tag-and-trace technology provider, to help customers reduce packaging waste and improve recyclability. 

The partnership will install Polytag UV tag detection and trace technology at Casepak’s materials recycling facility, providing brands with real-time data on when and where packaging is recycled and the recycling rates of their products. 

Reconomy says these insights enable brands to accurately report on sustainability progress, ensure compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements and redesign packaging content to use alternative packaging, reducing compliance costs and carbon footprint.  

“The installation of our latest detection unit at Casepak is a pivotal moment for the Ecotrace Programme, in which Reconomy has played a major part,” Polytag Chief Technology Officer Jon Anderson says. “Every installation brings us closer to a fully transparent, scalable and verifiable recycling system. We are proud to work with the forward-thinking teams at Casepak and Valpak to make this vision a reality.” 

Reconomy says the partnership strengthens its data and technology capabilities, particularly through its brand Valpak, which operates the largest packaging and product database in the U.K. and is used by supermarkets to report on their packaging and identify material cost savings.  

The company says the installation of this technology advances the Ecotrace Programme, an industry-wide initiative to improve transparency in packaging recycling.