Single Unit Dose laundry pouch pack by Procter & Gamble approved by RecyClass
Recyclability increased with polyethylene closure system23 Jun 2021
Procter & Gamble’s ‘Single Unit Dose laundry pouch pack’ is compatible with the European flexible polyethylene (PE) stream recycling, an independent laboratory confirmed. The recycled material can be now used back in high-end, or even closed-loop applications.
With the initial testing of a laminated multilayer pouch containing a polypropylene (PP) closure, representing 4% of the total weight, Procter & Gamble redesigned the PP-slider with a polyethylene (PE) zipper following RecyClass recommendation. Taking into consideration this major design improvement, RecyClass revised the original approval granted to P&G and upgraded the final class ranking of the mono-material pouch to class B, following the RecyClass Methodology.
The laboratory analysis of the ‘Single Unit Dose laundry pouch pack’ with the PP slider which carried according to the Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PE films show that the pouch conforms to the current European coloured PE film recycling stream under specific conditions[1] which, among others, determine a limit for the PP content, as PP components downgrade the quality of the recycled PE. Moreover, the sorting behaviour was assessed by Suez.Circpack® according to the RecyClass Sorting Protocol, demonstrating that the pouch is sortable within the PE flexible stream.
This approval is yet another example of how innovation and adapting different design elements in line with the recyclability principles contribute to improving plastics packaging’s circularity.
[1] For the full conditions please see: Product Approval Procter & Gamble ‘Single Unit Dose laundry pouch pack’
About P&G
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit https://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at https://www.pg.com/news.
About RecyClass
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 its 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: Alice.Wallon@plasticsrecyclers.eu, www.recyclass.eu