UK recycling organisation Recoup (Peterborough / UK; www.recoup.org) says a set of its case studies identifies ways that packaging for bathroom and beauty products can be added to the recycling system. According to Recoup, greater awareness is needed to ensure that packaging for lotions and potions are recycled. With UK local authorities collecting bottles kerbside, items such as shampoo and conditioner can easily be added to such collection efforts. With this set of case studies, Recoup has highlighted the reasons why beauty product packaging might not make it through sorting systems.

The organisation has been producing guidelines for plastic packaging recyclability since 2006, aimed at encouraging buyers and specifiers to consider recyclability in the design process. To achieve this, Recoup has produced guides for different sectors as well as a version for laymen. Case studies have also proved to be an effective method of delivering the message alongside the guidelines and are aimed at improving recyclability by design in specific areas.

With increased focus on food packaging, the UK is getting used to recycling from the kitchen. However, it is a different story when it comes to the bathroom and beauty products. The work identifies issues such as the sorting of small items and how size dictates whether these items make it through the initial sorting process. Label coverage is also identified as a barrier to recyclability; Recoup points out that products should not include more than a 40% label coverage to ensure they are NIR detectable. Multi-layered packaging for film and flexible packaging also hampers recyclability.

The organisation’s packaging sustainability manager Paul East said, “After the consideration of recyclability principles in the design of their packaging, brand owners should consider how to promote their own products by thinking about how they are disposed of in the home. Is there clear instruction on disposal, including advice on recycling?”

A survey conducted in 2019 revealed that around 57% of UK residents do not recycle any bathroom products. It is calculated that the average UK household uses over 52,000-bathroom products in their lifetime, weighing a total of 512 kg. Women’s health and beauty products account for a significant proportion of this waste, with the average woman producing 527 items of cosmetic and hygiene waste each year.

The industry has a responsibility to help increase recycling rates across the UK and, in turn, continue to educate and inform the consumer with clear guidance and instruction. The principles of recyclability should be considered, meaning colour, polymer used, label coverage, avoidance of multi-material laminates and not using any metal components.

Where packaging is recyclable, the opportunity to promote recyclability is being lost in some cases due to a lack of sufficient labelling. Often cosmetic products fail to contain clear recycling guidance. Margaret Bates, executive director of On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL, Petersborough; www.oprl.org.uk) said, “The Recoup design guideline will help brand owners to support consumers in doing the right thing. Consistent and clear labelling is key to increasing recycling. Four in five of us check for information on unfamiliar packaging or whenever we’re unsure. Research undertaken for OPRL shows that without a recycling label to guide them people make decisions based on their own values. Defaulting to ‘if in doubt, keep it out’ leads to valuable resources going to landfill or energy from waste.”

The good news, said Recoup, is that many brands do get it right and are using clear PET, clear and coloured PP as well as natural and coloured HDPE. This gives the products a good opportunity to be sorted and reprocessed in the UK. Recoup offers its members free testing for plastic packaging, and the service is available to non-member for a charge.

For enquiries please contact kate.bedford@recoup.org or member enquiries contact rebecca.davis@recoup.org