Rigid Plastics Recyclability Guidance and Case Studies

Overview

The guidance and case studies are part of a range of tools designed to help the UK meet its challenging UK recycling targets for plastic packaging (the recovered plastic supply chain must reach 42% recycling by 2017). 

The comprehensive and up-to-date guidance is aimed at enabling used plastic packaging to be reprocessed to produce high quality technical grade virgin replacement materials that can be used in the manufacture of new plastic items. It is for brand owners, retailers, packaging manufacturers and designers.

The guidance covers aspects of plastic packaging that are either ideal, not ideal or detrimental for recycling for rigid plastic packaging (pots, tubs and trays) and non-drinks bottles made from  polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS). The guidance is based on feedback and input received from a range of UK plastic sorters and reprocessors.

To complement the guidance, case studies have been produced to help encourage the consideration of recyclability during the design phase. Packaging examples are included from organisations such as B&Q, Boots, The Co-operative Food, Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose. Both the guidance and case studies were produced by Recoup for WRAP.

As the capabilities for sorting and reprocessing rigid plastic packaging develop over the coming years in the UK, WRAP intends to review the guidance annually to ensure it remains current and relevant.

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Contents

Introduction >>
Guiding principles >>
Recyclability Categorisation Matrices >>
Results of the test categorisation of 50 commonly used packs >>

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