The guidelines aim to offer financial incentives for making packaging fully recyclable. Credit: SuPatMaN via Shutterstock.

RECOUP, the UK’s authority on plastic resources, has updated its Recyclability by Design (RBD) guidelines.

Updated annually, the document provides a set of guidelines to help the domestic plastics packaging industry make informed choices.

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The latest update is timely as compliance costs linked to extended producer responsibility (EPR) are set to rise.

The guidelines aim to enhance packaging recyclability, offering financial incentives for making packaging fully recyclable, thereby advancing circular economy objectives.

The financial impact of not meeting recyclability standards such as those outlined by RECOUP is significant.

Noncompliance can lead to increased costs and damage an organisation’s sustainability credentials.

RECOUP’s guidelines help packaging technologists and buyers design packaging that is more likely to be recycled within the UK’s existing infrastructure.

RECOUP head of packaging recycling and design Paul East said: “RBD is a reminder of the importance of designing for recycling, when making decisions, as well as for marketing and brand recognition.

“By using the recommendations within RBD, you will be ensuring that your plastic packaging is given the best chance to be recycled in line with upcoming legislation.”

The updates include polymer-specific recyclability tables, reflecting valuable contributions from RECOUP members and industry colleagues.

Earlier this year, Zotefoams, a cellular materials technology company, joined RECOUP.

Zotefoams focuses on improving circularity and reducing reliance on fossil fuel-derived raw materials, with manufacturing sites in Denmark, Poland, the US, and China.

RECOUP’s membership now includes more than 180 organisations such as plastic packaging manufacturers, recyclers, reprocessors, and waste management companies.