Coveris produces recycled stretch film range ahead of UK Plastic Packaging Tax

10 Feb 2022 --- Coveris is launching a lightweight stretch films range containing a minimum 30% recycled plastic, meeting the forthcoming UK Plastic Packaging Tax requirements. 

The tax will enter into force in April 2022, requiring all plastic packaging, including tertiary packaging like stretch wrap, to contain a minimum 30% recycled content, which will otherwise be subject to a £200 (US$237) per metric ton penalty.

The packaging supplier says the new films are the thinnest recycled stretch films currently available, offering both hand and pre-stretch solutions. They are made from a blend of recycled polythene recovered from post-consumer waste streams.

Coveris uses its circular manufacturing process to produce the low-gauge, high-performance films, delivering the same packing and transportation efficiencies as virgin materials while maintaining recyclability.

“Given the availability and high demand for recycled plastics alongside the technical requirements for this product to not only deliver virgin material reduction but also achieve lightweight properties, particularly for our pre-stretch products, we are offering 30% at this time. For our blown stretch products, 50% may be possible in the future,” Mike Richardson, technical Director at Coveris Winsford, tells PackagingInsights.

“Stretch and pre-stretch products are thin, elastic films, so achieving the same lightweight, high-performance functionality with non-virgin content was a key technical challenge.”The UK Plastic Packaging Tax will require plastic packaging to use a minimum 30% recyclate or face financial penalties.

State-of-the-art extrusion 
Developed at Coveris’ state-of-the-art extrusion facility and Film Science Lab in Winsford, UK, the films are the latest in a recent line of recycled product innovations supporting businesses’ zero net waste targets.

Coveris uses its post-industrial waste as feedstock via its recycling facility and independent reprocessing status. All waste leaving the Winsford site can be considered a recyclable product. 

“Supporting our vision of No Waste and wider industry [environmental] sustainable goals, the new solution offsets the need for virgin plastics while maintaining full recyclability, as well as being fully compliant with UK Plastic Packaging Tax legislation,” reiterates Richardson.

“This [product] will allow our customers to take advantage of the benefits of efficient palletized transportation, using plastic tertiary packaging without compromising their [environmental] sustainability and circular economy goals.”

Coveris recently supported Aldi UK’s own-label circularity goals with recyclable rice packs and equipped Tesco with mono-laminate cheese packaging.

The company also aims to revolutionize the European food market with recyclable high-barrier paper formats.

By Joshua Poole