PPWR and recyclability? 7 Tips to make your packaging highly recyclable according to PPWR Guidelines
The recyclability of packaging is becoming increasingly important—not only for the environment but also to meet legal requirements. Under the PPWR regulation, there are specific guidelines for packaging recyclability. Starting in 2030, all packaging placed on the market must be recyclable. In addition, packaging must contain minimum shares of recycled materials, and excessive packaging (e.g., a cardboard box around a toothpaste tube) must be avoided. Interfering materials will be banned, and producers will bear extended responsibility for the disposal and recovery of their packaging.
Peter El-Gazzar, an expert in recycling capability and project manager of the Noventiz recycling seal “rotate”, has compiled 7 tips to help packaging meet PPWR requirements for recyclability.
PPWR and Recycling Capability
PPWR & Recycling Capability
Tip 1: Avoid Large Labels
If labels are made of a different material than the packaging, they can make sorting more difficult. If the label covers more than 50% of the packaging, for example, there is a very high probability that this plastic packaging will not be sorted into the correct fraction, thus limiting its recyclability, even though the packaging is basically recyclable.
The result: High-quality recyclable material is lost in the recycling process, even though the packaging is basically recyclable.
So use labels that are made of the same material as the packaging and limit their size. In this way, sorting capability is maintained and the recycling process is not impaired. In this way, you help to fulfil the requirements of the PPWR and promote an efficient circular economy, as the PPWR requires all packaging to be recyclable from 2030. Labels that hinder the sorting capability of packaging are in direct conflict with this goal.
PPWR & Recycling Capability
Tip 2: Avoid Black Plastic Packaging
Black plastic packaging is challenging to recycle and often ends up in incinerators rather than recycling streams. The dark coloration makes it difficult for infrared scanners at sorting facilities to identify the material. Although there are advanced technologies that can recognise black plastics, these are currently only available in a few plants.
Instead, uncoloured packaging should be used. This is highly recyclable as it can be easily recognised in the sorting process due to its near-infrared properties.
The use of light colours and monomaterials promotes the production of recycled granulates, closes the recycling loop and enables companies to meet their obligations under the PPWR while contributing to a resource-efficient future.
PPWR & Recycling Capability
Tip 3: Avoid Ceramic Components and use transparent Glass Bottles
Glass packaging without transparency/translucency (partial translucency) has limited recyclability and, according to the minimum standard, requires an additional, chargeable measurement for identification. Ceramic components are even incompatible with recycling. One example of this is coloured champagne bottles or glass packaging with plastic adhesive labels, provided they are waterproof/hydrophobic adhesive labels. There is no light transmission here and the fragments are not fed into the recycling cycle. Unrecognised glass fragments are lost in the recycling process. This not only means a loss of valuable raw materials, but also a waste of energy and resources that are needed to produce new glass.
The PPWR calls for efficient recycling processes and sets clear requirements for the recyclability of packaging. Transparent glass bottles are ideal for sorting, while ceramic components cause recycling incompatibilities and impair recycling. By using transparent glass packaging and dispensing with ceramic components, you fulfil the requirements of the PPWR and at the same time contribute to a resource-conserving circular economy.
PPWR & Recycling Capability
Tip 4: Avoid plastic adhesive labels on glass packaging
Plastic adhesive labels significantly impair the recyclability of glass packaging. These labels do not detach from the glass surface during the recycling process and act as impurities. The recyclability of this packaging is reduced. In accordance with the Central Agency’s minimum standard, the areas to which the label is attached must be deducted as a percentage of the quota.
Use paper labels or other materials that can be easily removed from the glass surface and do not interfere with the recycling process. In this way, you fulfil the requirements of the PPWR by using recycling-friendly materials.
PPWR & Recycling Capability
Tip 5: Adhere to Standards for Biodegradable Packaging
According to the PPWR, all packaging must be recyclable from 2030 (at least 70% recyclability). Packaging that is considered biodegradable or compostable does not have an established recycling infrastructure.
According to the central agency’s minimum standard, packaging made of biodegradable or compostable plastics, PLA, cellulose hydrate, ceramics or natural materials such as wood is generally assumed to lack a recycling infrastructure. They are usually not removed in the sorting process, are therefore not recycled and are generally not categorised as recyclable.
Use packaging materials that can be recycled in accordance with the minimum standard of the Central Agency in order to fulfil the requirements of the PPWR, which will apply from 2030. Recycling via the organic waste bin is also not recommended, as the recycling targets will not be met here either.
PPWR & Recycling Capability
Tip 6: Use monomaterials and sustainable adhesives
Composite materials and non-water-soluble adhesives on packaging make recycling considerably more difficult. For example, such elements impair the separation of recyclable materials in sorting plants. Packaging with low recyclability leads to additional costs or even legal consequences due to new regulations such as the PPWR. From 2030, all packaging must be at least 70% recyclable. Focus on mono-materials and use adhesives that can be easily dissolved in the recycling process to fulfil the PPWR regulations.
PPWR & Recycling Capability
Tip 7: Incorporate Recyclates
Packaging is often made from primary raw materials, although recyclates are a sustainable alternative. A lack of recyclability and too little demand for recycled materials leads to inefficient utilisation of the recycling cycle.
Valuable resources are wasted and the life cycle of materials remains unutilised.
The PPWR stipulates from 01.01.2030:
The plastic content of recycled materials that must be recovered from consumer plastic waste:
- 30% for contact-sensitive packaging with PET as the main component;
- 10% for contact-sensitive packaging made from plastic materials other than PET, excluding single-use plastic drinks bottles;
- 30% for single-use plastic drinks bottles;
- 35% for other plastic packaging not previously mentioned.
(Exceptions for primary packaging, packaging for medical products or compostable plastic packaging)
Design your packaging to be recyclable, promote sorted waste collection and use technical processes to recover recyclates. This can reduce the use of primary raw materials. Integrate recyclates into your packaging designs to comply with PPWR requirements and make a sustainable contribution to the circular economy.
For an overview of PPWR regulations, visit: Overview and summary of the PPWR Regulation
Erfüllen Sie auch die PPWR Vorgaben in Punkto Recyclingfähigkeit
Die Recyclingfähigkeit von Verpackungen spielt eine zentrale Rolle in der PPWR-Verordnung. Diese fordert ab 2030 recycelbare Verpackungen mit steigendem Rezyklatanteil. Unternehmen sollten deshalb bereits jetzt ihr Verpackungsdesign optimieren, um gesetzliche Vorgaben zu erfüllen und die Kreislaufwirtschaft zu stärken.
Weitere Informationen:
Kontaktieren Sie unseren Projektmanager rotate
- Peter El-Gazzar
- +49 221-800 158 420
- peter.el-gazzar@noventiz.de
- auf LinkedIn vernetzen
Wir sind Experten rund um die Verpackungslizenzierung, alle Rücknahmelösungen und Bewertung der Recyclingfähigkeit nach §21 VerpackG.
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