Setting course for Transparent Recyclability & Recycled Plastics Claims
New Guidance Published by RecyClass09 Jun 2021

Companies that obtained RecyClass Certification, Technology and/or Product Approval^[2] can communicate that their product is recyclable, designed to be recycled or that it contains a specific share of recycled content to business partners, authorities, stakeholders, public procurement bodies, and consumers (see conditions in the Guidance). The Guidance lays down principles for such communication.

The document ensures that any company using RecyClass claims, does so in an accurate and transparent manner, leaving no room for misinterpretations.

“Clear and fact-based communication on environmental benefits of a product not only results in consumers making well-informed purchase decisions but also provides clear guidance to a company that wants to make genuinely circular products”, said Gian De Belder, Technical Director – R&D Packaging Sustainability at P&G and Advisory Board Chairman at RecyClass.

With the upcoming EU legislative changes, that set mandatory recycled content targets in plastic beverage bottles and require packaging to be recyclable, the industry must-have tools which enable reliable verification and provide clear guidance on how to communicate comprehensively.
The Guidance was developed by the RecyClass Claims Taskforce which counts with more than 50 stakeholders representing the plastics value chain. It was followed by a one-month public consultation to guarantee its robustness, which provides an answer to this call as it is destined for the whole value chain.

RecyClass published as well a set of logos for attesting both recyclability and recycled content which can be used by the certified companies not only off but also on pack.

 

[1] RecyClass Recyclability & Recycled Content Use of Claims Guidance

[2] Product Recyclability Certifications; Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification

 

About

RecyClass is a comprehensive cross-industry initiative that works to advance plastic packaging recyclability and to establish a harmonized approach towards recycled content calculation and traceability in Europe. Activities within RecyClass include the development of Recyclability Evaluation Protocols and scientific testing of innovative materials which serve as the base for the Design for Recycling guidelines and the free online tool. RecyClass offers Recyclability Certifications and Recycled Content Traceability Certification for plastic packaging.

Contact: Mireia.Boada@plasticsrecyclers.eu, www.recyclass.eu