Lifting the Lid on Packaging Recyclability
In an era where environmental responsibility is no longer optional, businesses are under increasing pressure to ensure their packaging supports sustainability goals.
At OPRL, we understand these challenges and are committed to empowering our members with the tools they need to meet them head-on.
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce that our Recyclability Assessment Tool (RAT) has been updated – more powerful, more aligned with current regulations, and exclusively available to OPRL members.
Take Control of Your Packaging Compliance
With packaging regulations evolving rapidly, particularly under Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR), ensuring your packaging is recyclable is more important than ever.
The RAT is designed to help you stay compliant, cut costs, and make informed decisions from the very start of the packaging lifecycle.
What’s new in the Recyclability Assessment Tool?
The updated version of the RAT includes several important updates that bring it fully in line with the PackUK’s Recyclability Assessment Method (RAM) Version 1.1, enabling more robust and compliant assessments:
- Red/Amber/Green (RAG) ratings: In addition to providing a recyclable or not recyclable outcome, the tool now includes a colour-coded RAG rating to clearly indicate how well your packaging performs against recyclability criteria.
- Improvement advice: The tool now offers targeted recommendations to help you enhance the recyclability of your packaging based on RAM V1.1 insights.
- Updated questions: The assessment now includes additional questions to align with RAM V1.1 requirements, ensuring your data is complete and up to standard.
- New materials: Expanded options now include fibre-based composite materials.
Component-level analysis: Attachments like caps, closures, and labels are now assessed individually to reflect their unique recyclability characteristics.
Why use the RAT?
Whether you’re developing new packaging or reviewing existing specifications, the RAT offers tangible advantages:
- Full Aligned with RAM V1.1 – Ensure your packaging assessments meet the latest industry standards and regulatory expectations, especially under pEPR.
- Cost and time efficiency – You only need to assess a packaging format once, even if it’s used across multiple SKUs. This streamlines workflows and and eliminates unneccessary duplication.
- Sustainable by design – With expert recyclability advice built in, you can make sustainability a core part of your packaging design process – not an afterthought.
- Simplified reporting and sharing – Your assessments are stored and can be downloaded, shared, and compared over time – ideal for internal tracking or collaborating with supply chain partners.
- Lower compliance costs – Your assessments are stored and can be downloaded, shared and compared over time – ideal for internal tracking or collaborating with supply chain partners.
- Lower compliance costs – Improving the recyclability of your packaging could directly lead to lower modulated fees under pEPR – making sustainability a smart financial decision.
- Boost your brand’s reputation – Sustainable packaging is not just good for the planet – it also strengthens your brand’s image in the eyes of the eco-consumers and partners.
Ready to make a difference?
If you’re an OPRL member, you can start using the new and improved Recyclability Assessment Tool today. With just a few key details about your packaging, you’ll receive expert insights, compliance-ready assessments, and a clear roadmap for improvement.
Not an OPRL Member Yet?
Join OPRL to gain access to industry-leading tools like RAT and see how we can support your business in achieving packaging compliance and environmental leadership. Learn more about membership here.
Ready to join? Register for membership here