OPRL publishes evidence behind binary labeling system, paves way for UK EPR reforms

30 Jan 2020 --- The UK’s leading recycling label authority The On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) has made the evidence base from its comprehensive labeling review, which culminated in the launch of a binary labeling system (“Recycle” or “Don’t Recycle”), publically available. The review drew together extensive data and evidence, wide consultations and consumer testing. This week, OPRL also announced that paper cups will have their own specialist recycling label to support the wide range of UK paper cup recycling programs available.

New rules governing OPRL’s market-leading recycling labels will give greater transparency on the final fate of packaging, highlighting what gets sorted and reprocessed and which pack designs are likely to be landfilled or incinerated, OPRL says. The binary labeling system is expected to drive more rapid switching into sustainable packaging ahead of the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility reforms as new labels are applied over the next three years.

“This has been the most inclusive, extensive and rigorous review to date of our recycling labeling rules. We’ve gathered together a broad and diverse array of expertise and evidence and subjected it to scrutiny and challenge by respected figures from inside the industry and beyond,” comments Stuart Lendrum, Chair of the Steering Group and OPRL Board Director.

“The results deliver our commitment to give consumers clarity on the true recyclability of packaging. As part of that commitment to transparency and accountability, we are making our evidence base publicly available today. As further new evidence becomes available, we will fine-tune these rules so that we reflect the UK’s developing recycling technology and infrastructure, and further refining of industry technical standards.”

The key labeling changes as identified by OPRL are:

• Three polymer types move from “Check Locally” into “Recycle”;
• NIR detectability determines whether some black plastics move from “Check Locally” to “Recycle” or “Don’t Recycle”;
• Two polymers widely collected but mainly landfilled or incinerated move from “Check Locally” to “Don’t Recycle”;
• Coated paper and card quality tolerances immediately tighten up to a maximum of 15 percent plastic by weight for Recycle status and reduce further to 10 percent in January 2023, giving markets time to respond and;
• Coffee cups get a specialist label to support in-store collections for recycling.

“LARAC welcomes the move to the new binary system for recycling labels, which will be much clearer and simpler for consumers to understand and should help to improve the quality and quantity of recycling collected by local authorities. Reducing non-target materials and contamination in the recycling we collect is very important to ensure costs to councils are minimized,” notes Carole Taylor, Chair of LARAC and Steering Group member.

Iain Ferguson, Environment Manager at founding OPRL member, the Co-op and Steering Group member, adds that consumers increasingly want clearer information on what to do with their packaging. “We welcome all moves that simplify messaging around correct disposal routes and hope that OPRL’s latest review will help drive better habits and more informed action amongst the UK population.”

While external expert reviewer and challenger Paula Chin, Materials Specialist at WWF, says that due to the visible impact of plastic pollution on our natural world, the UK public is increasingly interested in how their products are packaged.

“What to recycle and how to do that is vital – and these clear, evidence-based labels are part of the solution. Shoppers will now know which packaging is most sustainable and what to do when they’ve finished using it. This is key to ensuring we use our natural resources as efficiently as possible rather than just throwing them away.”

Huhtamaki welcomes specialist label for coffee cups
The OPRL announced that paper cups will have their own specialist recycling label to support the wide range of UK paper cup recycling programs, including in-store and on-street, office, workplace and industry collections by waste contractors, bring banks and post back schemes.OPRL announced that paper cups will have their own specialist recycling label to support the wide range of UK paper cup recycling programs available.

The step to provide clear and transparent information on the final fate of packaging is a welcome move and giving paper cups their own specialist recycling label will help improve the recycling rates and reusability of the materials, Finnish paper-based packaging specialist Huhtamaki said in response to the news.

“This initiative is the result of a collective effort from various stakeholders in the industry coming together to ensure that the collection infrastructure, recycling facilities and awareness to improve recycling of paper cups is provided to people in transparently,” explains Neil Whittall, Category Director for Specialty Coffee.

“We know there is still work to do to increase paper cup recycling and we will continue to work with our customers, partners, collection services to improve awareness and promote recycling as well as the circular economy.”

Huhtamaki paper cups can take this label into use in the coming months, the supplier indicates.

By Joshua Poole