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CIRCPACK GuidelinesD4R V619 07 2019 ENG
CIRCPACK GuidelinesD4R V619 07 2019 ENG
CIRCPACK GuidelinesD4R V619 07 2019 ENG
circpack®
DESIGN FOR
RECYCLING
GUIDELINES
for packaging
Version ENG 23-04-2019
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Design for Recycling
Packaging has multiple functions. A very Sustainable plastic packaging will ultimately be circular:
important role is to protect & preserve the product containing recycled raw materials for production AND
during the product’s lifecycle. The packaging is also being fully recyclable. In order to achieve this, the wasted
used to communicate with the consumer and materials will have to follow a recycling route which
provide essential information. ensures high quality reuse of the materials.
Having performed its primary functions, packaging Enabling the recycling of packaging does not start at the
inevitably becomes waste. end of its life, but right at the beginning. The design phase is
The highest impact of packaging’s ecological the most essential moment to take recycling into account.
footprint comes from its production and the used
materials. As these used resources are limited, it These guidelines will assist you to ensure that the
becomes more and more important to give these packaging you design can be recycled.
materials a circular life. As technologies are evolving, this guideline is a living
document, and will be updated regularly.
6. Summary
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HOW WE CAN ASSIST
SUEZ is one of the world’s biggest companies in SUEZ.circpack® is an internationally active consulting
the waste management sector. We have insights service of SUEZ, specialized in circular packaging and recyclability.
and hands-on experience in collection, sorting, Our main services are:
reprocessing and recycling of packaging. On top
Workshop & visit: DISCOVER the world of recycling. Visit a sorting
of this we are also active in licensing & installation for household packaging and learn the essentials of recycling
certification. and design for recycling in a half day workshop.
We love to share our knowledge to complete the Dedicated research: make your question our challenge. From a basic
circle, to give packaging a second life, to save operational sorting test up to dedicated lab-research or desk studies, all
our resources and to protect our planet. types of research are part of our EXPLORE service
Help in packaging design: Let’s CO-CREATE new packaging. With our
We are ready for the Resource Revolution! combination of theoretical and operational knowledge we support you in
the design of new packaging in order to ensure its recyclability.
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Essential steps in recycling
We believe that recyclability only exists
when it is part of our day-to-day operations.
1. Collection
2. Sorting
PRIMARY RAW MATERIALS
3. Reprocessing AND ENERGY
4. Application
Only if a packaging (or it materials) can follow all ENERGY FROM WASTE
LANDFILL
Steps in recycling
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COLLECTION
• In most Western- European countries, household packaging is
collected separately from paper-, residual- and organic-waste.
• The collection of Business to Business waste is often less homogene. ENERGY FROM WASTE
! Inform the consumer WHERE and HOW to dispose the packaging LANDFILL
• The better the packaging can get emptied the better the recycling can be.
Steps in recycling
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SORTING
LANDFILL
• The most common materials that are sorted, are PP, PE, PET,
Aluminium, Tin and Beverage cardboards.
! Please use the commonly sorted & recycled materials
Steps in recycling
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RECYCLING
At the plastic recycler the material gets shredded and washed.
! Make sure that labels and glues can be washed off.
Steps in recycling
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ADDITIONAL DESIGN QUESTIONS
Which requirements does the packaging have to meet:
Are all these requirements still essential?
Can these requirements be rethought?
Questions to answer...
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
On the following pages you will find an overview of different types of materials used in packaging.
For each material, we provide you with details on:
1. Recyclable materials, which can be fully recycled,
2. Non-recyclable materials, which can not be recycled, but will not hinder the recycling of recyclable materials in the packaging)
3. Conflicting materials, that can not be recycled & will also obstruct the recycling of the recyclable materials in the packaging
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
CAP:
• use PE or PP
(density < 1g/cm³)
BOTTLE BODY:
• transparent or clear, SLEEVE:
not printed • Density < 1g/cm³
• PET monomaterial PE or PP
bottles
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
Sleeves PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³ Materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g.PVC; PS; PET; PETG;
Sleevesize of bottles > 500 ml: < 70% coverage PLA); metallised materials; heavily inked sleeves; full body
Sleevesize of bottles ≤ 500 ml: < 50% coverage sleeves; EPS; foamed PET or foamed PETG; all with density <1
g/cm³
Tamper Evidence Wrap PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³ Materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g metal; PVC; PS; (G)PET);
Metallised materials; EPS; foamed PET or foamed PETG
Adhesives Soluble Adhesives (in water or alkaline at 60-80°C) Non-soluble adhesives (in water or alkaline at 60-80°C)
Hot-melts ; pressure-sensitive labels
Inks No harzadous content in the ink Inks that bleed; toxic or hazardous inks; metallic or other residual
(according to exclusion list EuPIA) inks
Direct Printing Laser marked Production or best-before date Any other direct printing
Other Components Base cup, handles or other components, made PE,PP or OPP Other plastics and materials with density >1 g/cm³
which are separated by grinding and float/sink - all with density (e.g. metal, RFID tags); non-detaching or welded components;
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
BODY:
• use monolayer material
Label:
• as small as possible
trays
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
Main Material PET Delaminating PET/PE and PET-GAG structure PLA; PVC; PS; PETG; C-PET
PET based multilayer material apart from delaminating PET/PE,
Expanded PET
Colours All transparent clear and light blue colours Metallic; Opaque
Colorants with carbon black
Barrier Coating clear (SiOx, AlOx, COx); PET based oxygen scavenger with limited yellowing effect after EVOH;
PET based oxygen scavenger without yellowing effect after heating PA;
heating Not PET based oxygen scavenger + yellowing effect
Additives Silicone surface coating; Antiblocking masterbatch (max 3% ); UV Bio/Oxo/Photodegradable additives;
stablilisers; AA blockers; optical brighteners; antiblocking Nanocomposites
masterbatch (> 3% ); anti-stat agents; antiblocking agents; anti-
fogging agents (on coating area)
Closure Systems PET; Any film with density > 1 g/cm³;
(printed and unprinted Mulitlayer lidding made from PE, PP, OPP with density < 1 g/cm³ adhesives harming recycling process
Lidding) and easily removal from the tray
Labels Plastic labels made from PE, PP or OPP with density < 1 g/cm³ Paper labels without fibreloss during recycling process Plastic labels with density > 1 g/cm³
trays
Labelsize of packaging > 500 ml: < 70% coverage Paper labels with fibreloss during recycling process - Paper
Labelsize of packaging ≤ 500 ml: < 50% coverage containing BPA
Adhesives 100% removable adhesives leaving no adhesives residuals on All other adhesives
flakes being water or alkaline soluble in 85°C
Inks Non toxic following the EuPIA Guidlines Inks that bleed; toxic or hazardous inks
(Inks that are on the EuPIA exclusion list)
Direct Printing Laser marked Production or best-before date Any other direct printing
Other Components Inserts in HDPE / LDPE / PP like Soaker pads, bubble pads All PVC / PS / EPS / PU / PA;
inserts should be completely removable, leave no traces and PC / PMMA Thermoset plastics / Metallic paper & cardboard
have a density of <1,0 g/cm³ inserts loosing fibres (pulping)
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
CAP:
• use PE or PP
(density < 1g/cm³)
BODY:
• use PP
monomaterial
ADDITIVES:
• don‘t use density
rigids
changing additives
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
BODY:
• use light and
transparent colours
• don‘t use inks
flexibles
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
Inks Non toxic (according to EUPIA Guidelines) Inks that bleed; toxic or hazardous inks
(Inks that are on the EuPIA exclusion list)
Direct Printing Laser marked Printing covering ˂ 50% Printing covering ≥ 50%
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
CAP:
• only use PP
BODY:
• use HDPE monolayer
• no carbon black
colourisation
rigids
LABELS:
• use labels from
the same material
(only PE)
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
Main Material Monolayer HDPE Multilayers HDPE with PLA; PVC; PS; PET; PETG
Colours All colours (excluding carbon black) Dark colorants with carbon black
Barrier EVOH ≤ 3% EVOH > 3% ; PA; PVDC; Aluminium Barrier
Additives Additives NOT changing the material density > 1 g/cm³ Additives changing the material density > 1g/cm³
Closure Systems HDPE; LDPE; LLDPE; MDPE PP; PET; PETG; PS; PVC; PLA; Foams with density <1g/cm3, metalised layers
aluminium or other metals parts
Liners, Seals and Valves HDPE; LDPE; LLDPE; MDPE PP; PET; PETG; PS; PVC; PLA; Foams with density <1g/cm3, metalised layers
aluminium or other metals parts
Labels HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE; Paper labels without fibreloss during recycling process; PET, PETG, PS, PVC, PLA (bigger than 50% of the surface)
PP (smaller than 50% of the surface) PET, PETG, PS, PVC, PLA labels with < 50% surface coverage. aluminium; metalised materials & paper with fibreloss during
recycling process
Adhesives Water soluble releasable adhesive (ambient conditions) Non water soluble releasable adhesives; self-adhesive labels;
Sleeves HDPE; LDPE; LLDPE; MDPE Non-PO sleeves on bottles > 500ml: < 70% surface coverage;
For PP; PET; PETG; PS; PVC; PLA: Non-PO sleeves on bottles ≤ 500ml: < 70% surface coverage;
rigids
- Sleevesize of packaging > 500 ml: < 70% surface coverage PP; PET; Aluminium; metalised materials; heavily inked sleeves
- Sleevesize of packaging ≤ 500 ml: < 50% surface coverage
Inks Non toxic following the EuPIA Guidlines Inks that bleed; toxic or hazardous inks
(Inks that are on the EuPIA exclusion list)
Direct Printing Laser marked; production or best-before date Any other direct printing
Other Components HDPE; LDPE; LLDPE; MDPE PP; PET; PETG; PS; PVC; PLA Aluminium; glass components;
Foams with density < 1 g/cm3.
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
BODY:
• use light and
transparent colours
• don‘t use inks
flexibles
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
Main Material LDPE; LLDPE; HDPE Multilayer PP/PE Any other polymer
Colours Transparent; light colours; translucent colours Dark colours Dark colorants with carbon black
Barrier Coating clear (SiOx, AlOx, COx) Barrier layer EVOH (max. 5%) PVC; PA, PVDC; any other barrier layer foaming agents used
(in polyolefinic combination film); metalized layers as expandant chemical agents; aluminium foil
Additives Additives (e.g. fillers (chalk), EVA, TPE) NOT changing the Additives changing the material density > 1g/cm³; Silicones
material density > 1 g/cm³
Closure Systems LDPE; HDPE; LLDPE; MDPE PP; PET; PETG; PS; PVC; PLA Foams with density < 1g/cm³
Labels PE Packaging > 500 ml: < 70% coverage area and Metalized labels;
Packaging ≤ 500 ml: < 50% coverage for Any other plastic with different density;
PP label; Non-magnetic metals (e.g. RFID tags);
Paper labels without fibreloss during recycling process; Paper labels with fibreloss during recycling process
Adhesives Adhesives watersoluble and releasable (ambient conditions) Adhesives not soluble in water
Inks Non-toxic (according to EUPIA Guidelines) Inks that bleed; toxic or hazardous inks
(Inks that are on the EuPIA exclusion list)
flexibles
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
BODY:
• use light and
transparent colours
• just minimal printing
polystyrene
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
Main Material PS
Colours Clear or lightly tinted colours Opaque Dark colorants with carbon black
Closure Systems PS; Polyolefins, lightweight aluminium foil Heavyweight aluminium foil;
OPS; PBT/PS; PS with PE insert; PS with EVA insert Ligfhtweight lidding films: Multilayers;
Metalized PET; metalized OPP; combi PET/light paper; PET; PETG; PVC; Aluminium/steel;
Labels and Adhesives PS; PS/OPS (same density as main material) Polyolefin; Paper; IML PET; PETG; PVC; metalised labels;
Non-PS-cover with Adhesives not soluble in water
Packaging > 500 ml: < 70% coverage area and
Packaging ≤ 500 ml: < 50% coverage on surface;
Adhesives water soluble
Inks Non toxic following the EuPIA Guidlines Inks that bleed; toxic or hazardous inks
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
BODY:
• use only paper
• water based inks
& cardboard
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
General natural fibre-based paper and board Unwanted material (outthrows) max 1.5% Prohibited Material
(according to DIN643) suitable for recycling; Non-paper components, paper and board not according to grade (any material which present a hazard for health, safety and
defintion, paper and board conflicting with production, paper not environment, such as medical waste, contaminated products of
suitable for de-inking personal hygiene, hazardous waste, organic waste including
foodstuffs, bitumen, toxic powders and similar)
Main Material Paper fibres Polyolefins (PE, PP); Aluminium
Colours Suitable for de-inking Non-de-inking
Barrier Coating Foil lined papers
Labels and Adhesives Water soluble adhesives Insoluble adhesives; heavy foils; Latex/Hotmelt; Self-Adhesive;
Polycoat Wax
Inks Non toxic following the EuPIA Guidlines Inks that bleed; toxic or hazardous inks
(Inks that are on the EuPIA exclusion list)
Other Components Wet strength agents, as far as fibre recovery and recycling is not
proven; components of EuPIA
& cardboard
In a lot of countries combination of cardboard and plastic is not allowed in the collection system
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
BODY: CAP:
• only paper, • only aluminium
aluminium and and polyolefins
polyolefins
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
LABEL:
BODY:
• use small and
• Use transparent glass
washable labels
• Do not print directly on
the glass
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
Main Material Glas; Ferro metals, Non-ferro metals Glas composities with metal or plastic layers Pyrex (oven-proof glass), chrystal
Colours All colours (focus to the separately collected colours white, green
and brown)
Closure Systems Polyolefins and metals (including aluminium) Other
Labels and Adhesives All
Inks Heavy metal inks;
Direct Printing Solid colours direct print on glass
Other Components
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
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DESIGN GUIDELINES
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Summary
Disclaimer:
The information provided in these guidelines is for general information purpose only.
To our knowledge, the information was accurate at the time of writing. However, as the recycling industry is still in the
process of coming to standards, errors, differences and changes will occur. Please be aware that there will be local
differences in the infrastructure for collection, sorting & recycling of packaging waste. This will ultimately determine the
locally valid guidelines.
SUEZ and SUEZ.circpack® are not responsible nor liable for errors or omissions in the content. You should not rely on
this information as a substitute for dedicated advice. Any actions taken based on these guidelines is for your own
responsibility.
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Going Further - Our support for you:
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