BRUSSELS, 13th December 2021
RecyClass published new Design for Recycling (DfR) guidelines and added them to its free, online RecyClass tool to enable self-assessment of recyclability of expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging.
The new guidelines (https://recyclass.eu/recyclability/design-for-recycling-guidelines/) offer the plastic industry insights on how different components of EPS fish boxes and white goods packaging should be manufactured to be compatible with recycling. All companies interested in verifying the recyclability of EPS packaging can now use the RecyClass Plastic Packaging Recyclability Tool. This online shows to what extent a given EPS packaging is suitable for recycling, rating it with a class system from A to F (i.e. from full to no compatibility with recycling).
“Today is a great day for our industry,” said EUMEPS Managing Director Jürgen Lang. “The publication of the DfR-guidelines is a milestone on our way towards (full) circularity. Thanks to the great collaboration with Plastics Recyclers Europe and RecyClass we managed to publish these guidelines within the space of a few months. This tight time schedule underlines our commitment to a more sustainable future.”
The EPS value chain is committed to developing a circular vision of plastic waste from design to end of life. These EPS guidelines help designers ensure that their packaging products will be easier to recycle at end of life and thereby reducing the amount of plastic that is sent to landfills, incinerated or ends up in the environment.
“With these new design recycling guidelines which are based on the scientifically backed up findings and developed by the actors from across the value chain, the industry shows its commitment to make all plastic recyclable with a long term objective in mind” said Paolo Glerean, RecyClass chairmen.
The RecyClass tool is a first step for EPS manufacturers to evaluate their packaging design, prior to the issuance of a recyclability certification of the EPS packaging attesting to the fact that it is fully recyclable and sustainable.
The EPS industry underlines the fact that EPS packaging strongly contributes to a circular economy and calls on governments throughout Europe to implement collection and sorting systems that recognise the recyclability of EPS waste.
ABOUT
RecyClass
RecyClass is a comprehensive cross-industry initiative that works to advance plastic packaging recyclability and to establish a harmonized approach towards recycled content calculation and its traceability in Europe. Activities within RecyClass include the development of Recyclability Evaluation Protocols and scientific testing of innovative materials which serve as the base for the Design for Recycling guidelines and the free online tool. RecyClass offers Recyclability Certifications and Recycled Content Traceability Certification for plastic packaging.
For more information, contact: Alice.Wallon@plasticsrecyclers.eu, www.recyclass.eu
EUMEPS
EUMEPS is the association and voice of the European Manufacturers of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS). Its members cover the entire EPS value chain from raw material suppliers to EPS converters and recyclers as well as supporting industries including machinery and additive suppliers. Members include individual companies as well as 22 European national EPS associations. This unique representation of the entire value chain ensures that EUMEPS represents both large companies and small- and medium-sized converters and recyclers.
Altogether its membership represents more than 1,000 companies, most of them small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and employs more than 80,000 people.
For more information, contact: f.ferri@eumeps.org; www.eumeps.org