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UK - The On-Pack Recycling Label Ltd (OPRL): Crisp Packets to Move to In-Store Recycling Labelling

OPRL is adding crisp packets and metallised snack and chocolate wrappers to its specialist in-store recycling labelling, building on earlier announcements to include polypropylene (PP) films from 1 January 2022.

This move, backed by WRAP, will support The UK Plastics Pact target to ramp up all plastics packaging recycling to 70% by 2025 by simplifying messaging and broadening the range of plastic bags and wrappers consumers can recycle at front of store.

Following extensive research into the ability of sorting and reprocessing infrastructure to sort and recycle these lightly metallised wrappers within PP film streams, OPRL has extended further the use of its films label to packaging appearing on shelf from 1 January 2022.

 

Several supermarkets already collect crisp packets and similar wrapping via front of store recycling points, with many others trialling this ahead of expected roll out. Some of these collections are supported by the Flexible Plastics Fund, as part of their commitments under The UK Plastics Pact. OPRL is confident collections will be widely available across the UK (ie to more than 75% of the population) for lightly metallised and non-metallised mono-polymer polypropylene film by January 2022, and, following thorough investigation, that the material will successfully be sorted and go on for processing into new packaging and products.

Following extensive research into the ability of sorting and reprocessing infrastructure to sort and recycle these lightly metallised wrappers within PP film streams, OPRL has extended further the use of its films label to packaging appearing on shelf from 1 January 2022.

The definition of qualifying metallised packaging, agreed between CEFLEX, WRAP and OPRL, is PP films where the metallisation layer is a maximum 0.1 micron applied by vacuum or vapour deposition to the inside of the pack, such as crisp packets. The labelling extension does not apply to packaging materials constructed of aluminium foil laminates such as pet food pouches, which should continue to be labelled ‘Don’t Recycle.

OPRL is the only evidence-based UK recycling labelling scheme, taking into account not only what is collected for recycling but also the availability of infrastructure to sort and reprocess packaging, and effective markets for the resulting recycled material. On-pack labelling is used by 9 out 10 of consumers for information on whether they can recycle items.

 

Link to OPRL Communicate

 

 

OPRL is an independent not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, established to help retailers and brands engage their customers in recycling. OPRL Ltd opened membership to the wider packaging value cycle in 2017 and subsequently to compliance schemes, sustainability consultancies and waste management companies and reprocessors. The company’s eight Guarantors span all packaging materials through ACE UK, Alupro, British Glass, CPI, MPMA and RECOUP, together with local authority, brand and retailer recycling interests via LARAC and INCPEN.

WRAP is a global NGO based in the UK. It is one of the UK’s top 5 environmental charities and works with governments, businesses and individuals to ensure that the world’s natural resources are used more sustainably. It is the charity leading the UK Plastics Pact (a world first), Courtauld Commitment 2030, Textiles 2030 as well as the citizen campaigns Love Food Hate Waste, Love Your Clothes, Clear on Plastics and Recycle Now - https://www.recyclenow.com/localrecycling. WRAP works collaboratively and develops and delivers evidence-based, solutions to reduce the environmental cost of the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the plastic packaging we use. Founded in 2000 in the UK, WRAP now works around the world and is a Global Alliance Partner of The Royal Foundation’s Earthshot Prize.

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