Verpact publishes new Recycle Checks update

You can find all the different Recycle Checks in our own online environment. For plastics, the score achieved is also a determining factor in Verpact's fee modulation. Access to the online environment can be requested here.

The Recycle Checks consist of an online checklist for each material and a document with background information. Answering the questions results in a score: good, reasonable, limited or non-recyclable. A guide has been developed to help you choose the right Recycle Check.

Updated annually

The Recycle Checks are updated annually based on current developments in the packaging supply chain. New laws and regulations, improved recycling methods, and market innovations may necessitate adjustments.

European legislation

The new update of the Recyclechecks takes the European legislation for packaging and packaging waste (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation – PPWR) into account as much as possible. Follow this campaign to learn more: Is your plastic packaging ready for tomorrow?(only available in Dutch)

The principle of this update is to keep as much as possible the same, to provide continuity towards the publication of a delegated act under the PPWR. A CEN working group is working on the standardization process for Design for Recycling of packaging, which is designed to provide input for this delegated act (which will take effect on January 1, 2028). The documents (specifications and standards) are expected to be published by the end of 2025.

What has changed?

The most important changes are textual amendments for clarification, mostly in response to user questions and also in alignment with the terminology used in Tariff Differentiation.

Key points:

• The explanation of the relationship between the main component and the target material has been improved.
• It has been clarified how to determine what constitutes a disposal unit.
• The links to underlying internal and external information have been updated.
• Where possible, the checklists have been made more user-friendly.
• The changes per material can be seen below.

Note: In exceptional cases, loading the new Recycle Checks into the tool may not work. This can be resolved by clearing the cache. Please note that previously entered data will be lost. Therefore, first download the packaging portfolio to your computer using the "Export Packaging" button.

Changes

• Rigid plastic packaging

- The term "material composition" has been clarified, with a clearer distinction between layers, coatings, and additives.

- The removability of labels has also been better explained, and further clarification has been added regarding the coverage of labels and surfaces with carbon black or glossy surfaces

• Flexible plastic packaging

- Whenever a polyamide (PA) layer is present in flexible packaging, the maximum score is "limited." However, in the case of a PE coextrusion with polyamide (PA6/66), it can now score "reasonable" if a compatibilizer is used.

- A metalized label that covers more than 30% of the discard unit (like black) now also scores "limited."

• Paper/cardboard

- The word "plastic" has been added to the coating or laminate.

- With a 4evergreen recyclability score of 90 or higher, single-sided plastic-laminated paper/cardboard can also receive the maximum score of "good recyclable."

- Mineral/pigment coatings are considered components of the paper/cardboard and do not affect the score.

• Glass

- No significant changes other than a small adjustment in the order of the questions.

• Metal

- No significant changes, except for a score adjustment for the question about the presence of heavy metals. In the previous version, an affirmative answer was scored orange ("limited"); this is now red ("not recyclable") if the maximum concentration (100 ppm by weight) is exceeded in the packaging in question.

• Beverage cartons

- Beverage cartons with an aluminum coating can achieve a maximum score of "reasonable".

- Made user-friendly; some labeling questions can be skipped more easily.

- It is now possible to enter cardboard and plastic straws.

Want to try out the Recyclechecks? Request access here: https://kidv.nl/kidv-recyclecheck