OPRL has launched an updated tool to help members demonstrate the recyclability of packaging products under new Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) legislation.
OPRL’s online tool will help producers – brands and importers – meet the obligation for reporting data under pEPR, as well as offering support with packaging improvements. Designed to guide packaging producers through the complex process of classifying components into red, green and amber categories for recyclability, it is aligned with the PackUK Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) v1.1. With the future implementation of mandatory labelling, the tool will also integrate fully with OPRL’s existing labelling tool.
Jude Allan, Interim Managing Director at OPRL, said: “OPRL already has over 15 years’ experience in determining recyclability. The launch of our original recyclability tool last year resulted in 250 assessments in the first week, so we know that there is a huge interest and need for a tool. We’ve been working closely with members of all sizes to help them prepare for the October reporting deadline.”
From 2026, the RAM will be used as the basis for eco-modulation, with non-recyclable (red) material charged at a higher rate. Allan added: “As we approach this next phase of pEPR, it is more important than ever that the data is correct. Inaccuracies can result in higher costs for producers and repercussions for wider industry. The tool takes the information in the RAM and presents it in a similar way to OPRL’s labelling tool. Members appreciate the simplicity and question-and-answer format – as well as the expert support from the team.”
OPRL’s recyclability tool enables users to store and share reports, and includes recommendations on ways to improve packaging. To streamline the process, packaging materials that appear across multiple stock-keeping units (SKUs) only need to be assessed once.