RecyClass revises Recyclability Evaluation Protocols and Design for Recycling Guidelines

RecyClass has updated its Recyclability Evaluation protocols and released a new set of Design for Recycling Guidelines for all plastic packaging streams following the findings of 18 testing campaigns commissioned in 2023. The latest set provides the industry with the most up-to-date recommendations for improving the recyclability of plastic packaging, according to RecyClass, which is a nonprofit, cross-industry initiative facilitating the transition toward a circular plastic future.

The latest design recommendations have been used to update the RecyClass Online Tool and the RecyClass Recyclability Certification Scheme. New testing campaigns are underway and will further complement the recommendations found in the RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines, according to the organization.

Several components have been evaluated via independent testing facilities to investigate the behavior of common packaging technologies during sorting and recycling processes. These tests were carried out according to standardized testing methods, as described in the RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols.

In alignment with the U.S.-based Association of Plastics Recyclers (APR) Design Guide for Plastics Recyclability, the RecyClass Recyclability Evaluation Protocols have been updated to improve the processing conditions and characterization of materials. New testing procedures for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and adhesives applied to PET bottles were also developed. The PET Thermoform Taskforce recently has been launched and will provide guidelines and future testing procedures for PET trays.

Since sorting is the foundation for high-quality recycling, RecyClass performed trials on nonpolyethylene (PE) decorations on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles, as well as on polypropylene (PP) and HDPE rigid rolling packaging, to further clarify the sorting performances of different plastics, with a revised version of the sorting protocol to be released soon.

Notable additions to the guidelines include a more detailed classification of ink binders and aluminum oxide (AlOx) coatings with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) primer in polyolefin (PO) films, as well as polyurethane- (PU-) based materials for laminating adhesives in PP flexible packaging.

As for rigid packaging, the melt flow index of PE closures used on PE containers has been introduced. In addition, thermoplastic elastomers were classified as fully compatible with recycling for HDPE and PP streams, and the importance of label removability in HDPE rigid packaging has been equally underlined.

“Thanks to the continuous and dedicated collaboration with scientific laboratories, RecyClass continues providing science-based and standardized tools to guide the value chain in the transition towards plastics circularity,” RecyClass Chairman Paolo Glerean says.