Last month PackUK published its RAM 2027 guidelines, highlighting how recyclability will influence pEPR fees next year.
Now, dry mixed recycling experts at Bins.co.uk are sharing four common packaging mistakes in order to avoid rising costs.
Using difficult material combinations
While adding multiple different materials to packaging can help with branding, aesthetics, or simply keeping down costs, it can make a product harder to recycle. Layers and combinations of products can create barriers to sorting and processing of recycling which could impact pEPR ratings, and lead to an increase in fees. Therefore, it’s worth considering if a simpler packaging design could outweigh any benefits from a more complex approach.
Designing packaging that's technically recyclable, but not recyclable in practice or at scale
It’s common to assume that as long as your packaging is technically recyclable, your responsibility has been fulfilled. However, RAM ratings look at whether recyclability is possible in practice and at scale with the current UK operational potential. The guidelines look at every part of the recycling journey, even to the point of if recycled materials have a viable end use. Therefore, research must go beyond surface level recyclability claims and into what can realistically be collected and processed.
Using incompatible labels, sleeves, adhesives or inserts
Many producers may focus on the main packaging material and overlook smaller components that can also affect its recyclability. Labels, sleeves, adhesives and inserts can all influence how packaging behaves during the recycling process, depending on the material and packaging format. Producers should therefore consider the whole packaging system and whether these components could create problems during sorting or reprocessing
Not having the right packaging data to prove recyclability
Producers need to know exactly what materials and components are being used and have the technical information needed to assess how the packaging performs through the recycling process. This may mean collaborating more closely with suppliers to establish whether packaging meets the relevant criteria. Getting this information as early as possible can help producers identify potential issues before packaging reaches the market.
Mark Hall, dry mixed recycling expert at bins.co.uk comments:
“RAM 2027 sets a great distinction between not just aiming for recyclability with packaging, but proving it’s possible at scale. RAM assesses the whole recycling chain from collection to sorting, reprocessing and whether the resulting recycled material has further usage. Not only this, but the guidelines also look at all of the components used within the package, not just the main material.
“As a result, producers will need to place their products under much higher scrutiny, and have all the data to hand to back up any recycling claims. This could mean revisiting packaging designs, working more closely with suppliers and obtaining additional evidence needed to secure the best possible RAM rating.”