Recoup (Peterborough / UK; www.recoup.org) has revised its “Recyclability by Design” guide for companies that wish to make their packaging more recyclable. The 76-page document contains detailed information on the entire recycling chain with the goal of enabling brand owners to ensure that their product does not inadvertently interfere with plastic recycling schemes.

The fifth version of the guide addresses a range of issues to consider when developing a packaging – including use of composite materials, barrier layers, the presence of residues, colour, caps, seals, labels, adhesives and pigments or inks, among others. The guide goes on to discuss different materials and provides an overview of all existing combinations that is differentiated into “compatible for recycling”, “may be suitable for recycling” and “not suitable for recycling”. In the case of PET bottles, for instance, Recoup’s guide flags as “red” – or not suitable for recycling – PET containing an EVOH/PA layer.

The latest edition of “Recyclability by Design” also includes contributions from companies along the supply chain, including Linpac, Nampak, Closed Loop, RPC, Milliken and Enval, among others.

e-Service:
Recoup's "Recyclability by Design" guide as a PDF file