Guidance

Recycling assessment methodology: stages of recyclability and definitions

Published 23 December 2024

Methodology

This version of the RAM has been developed collaboratively with representatives of the industry from across every stage of the packaging value chain. The RAM is based on requirements defined in the regulations, as well as definitions, thresholds and principles that are, wherever possible, aligned to existing best practice and therefore are considered appropriate at the time of publishing.

Stages of Recyclability

This methodology is focused on evaluating recyclability, encompassing the full range of requirements across the packaging end-of-life stages. It ensures that packaging can be recycled and transformed into new product applications - that is, replacing virgin materials. By considering factors such as collection, sortation, and reprocessing capabilities, the methodology aims to support a circular packaging economy, where materials are recaptured and recycled rather than disposed of, while also addressing the practical challenges faced across the value chain.

There are 5 end-of-life stages providing the foundational structure for the methodology.

1. Classification

This defines how to assess whole packaging units and components against the Recyclability Assessment Methodology.

Multi-material packaging can be constructed of assembled components of different materials that can be separated by hand. Each component is to be assessed separately unless the item is a drink container (excluding glass). Packaging items that are separated during product use, and are not able to be reassembled, must be reported separately (for example tear off strip, wine bottle cork).

Multi-material packaging where components cannot be separated should be assessed under the predominant material by weight. But each material must be reported separately using the red / amber / green output assigned to the combined unit. If the different materials are of equal weight, then the components must be assessed separately under the relevant material categories.

Where the material or a whole unit of packaging is not able to be defined as one of the material categories, that component is to be assessed within the ‘Other materials’ packaging category.

Example: jam jar

For a jar of jam comprising a glass jar, a paper label, a steel lid, and a hessian lid cover and tie should be assessed and reported as:

	Jar	Label	Lid	Tie	Hessian Lid
Packaging item assessed in RAM	Glass	Glass (because of predominant material)	Steel	Other (assumed textile)	Other (assumed textile)
RAM Output (illustrative only)	amber	amber	green	red	red
Reported as on RPD	Glass - amber	Paper and board - amber	Steel - green	Other - red	Other - red

Where the label and jar are not easily separable by hand they are assessed collectively in the RAM applying the predominant material rule to determine the material category for evaluation. Each material must be reported separately along with the assigned RAM output (e.g. Red, Amber or Green).

Example: pack of batteries

A pack of four batteries in packaging made from a clear moulded plastic cover that is glued to a cardboard backing, where the plastic can be separated from the card by hand must be assessed and reported separately as.

	Cover	Backing
Packaging item assessed in RAM	Plastic	Paper and board
RAM Output (illustrative only)	amber	green
Reported as on RPD	Plastic - amber	Paper and Board - green

Example: bottle of water

A water bottle made from a clear plastic PET bottle, PP cap and PE label meeting the definition of a Drink Container should be assessed and reported as the whole packaging (unless predominant material is Glass) :

 is to be reported as a whole unit made of the same material as the predominant component (unless predominant material is glass)

	Whole Drink Container
Packaging item assessed in RAM	Plastic
RAM Output (illustrative only)	green
Reported as on RPD	Plastic - green

2. Collection

This is the main route to recycling for a given product and refers to one of the three options below. More detail of what is and is not accepted for each material type is included within the guidance in Section 3. There are three main routes to recyclability

Widely collected (via kerbside)

Item of packaging or component must be collected at kerbside by at least 75% of Local Authorities (LAs) across the UK, as determined by WRAP’s Local Authority data.

Limited Collection (via kerbside)

Some items of packaging and components are collected by a substantial number of local authorities across the UK but fall short of meeting the 75% threshold for widely accessible collection at kerbside. These items may proceed via the limited collection route if collected at kerbside by at least 50% of Local Authorities (LAs) across the UK, as determined by WRAP’s Local Authority data.

Take-back schemes

Dedicated take-back schemes offer a way to recapture materials and packaging types that are not included in kerbside collections. Obligated producers must confirm their chosen scheme meets the following criteria:

• accessible to at least 75% of the UK population
• does not conflict with Local Authority kerbside collections
• is not restricted to one brand or product
• does not require a purchase to be made before an item can be disposed of
• have full transparency that the collected material is recycled

There is a full description of these factors in the section on standards for take-back protocols.

3. Sortation

This refers to the process of capturing and diverting packaging waste into appropriate waste streams for further reprocessing. In some local authorities, this separation occurs more extensively at the kerbside by consumers (e.g. source separated versus comingled collection systems). However, for the purposes of this methodology, the focus is on the ability to sort waste at scale within Materials Facilities (MFs). Packaging specifications and design choices, such as material shape, size, density, and colour, play a key role in ensuring Waste Managers can efficiently identify and sort packaging waste. While some packaging items may technically be sortable, various factors can hinder their effective separation in sortation facilities. Future iterations of the RAM will seek to leverage MF sampling data to provide a more accurate assessment of the sortation capabilities and efficiencies for each packaging material and format.

4. Reprocessing

This is the technical process of creating recyclate from each of the packaging waste streams. Each material type requires specific reprocessing technologies, and contaminants can disrupt the process or lower the quality of the recycled materials. The tolerance for contaminants varies by material and process, with different items and substances prohibited in each reprocessing method.

5. Application

This refers to factors which may affect the quality of recyclate produced or cause unnecessary secondary material loss in the recycling process. Recycling is defined as any recovery process in which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials, or substances, whether for their original purpose or other uses. It does not include energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be used as fuels or for backfilling operations.

Standards for take-back protocols

This protocol is aligned to the [OPRL]( Takeback Protocol to ensure consistency with existing industry labelling standards and practices.

Accessibility

Collection points must be available to at least 75% of the population. This must be proven by a robust methodology that accounts for travel distance and the range of transport options available, for example ‘drive time’ to the collection point. Collection points must also be clearly signposted and inclusive of those with disabilities. They should be accessible throughout normal business hours and within a maximum 5 mile radius for 75% or more of the UK population.

To avoid double counting populations in overlapping geographic areas, it’s important to implement a deduplication method for the catchment areas surrounding each collection point. If a geographic area falls within the drivetime catchments of multiple collection points, the most frequently used collection point should be selected to prevent population overlap.

No conflict with kerbside collections

Collection schemes should not actively compete with kerbside collections or encourage consumers to use their system in place of kerbside collections.

No brand restrictions

Schemes must accept packaging from other brands that have a similar format.

No purchase necessary

Customers cannot be required to provide proof or purchase to use the service.

Traceability

The scheme must provide a defined end market for the reprocessed material and evidence must be made available upon request that confirms the tons of material reprocessed. Contaminating materials must also be included in this data request.

Definitions

Definitions are aligned to The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024. Where additional definitions are given, references are provided.

Alternative natural fibres

For the purposes of this assessment this term refers to alternatives to cellulosic wood-based fibres such as bagasse, sugar cane, palm, fibre, rice straw, wheat straw, barley straw, oat straw, grass straw, flax, hemp, and bamboo^{[footnote 1]}

Board / Paperboard

A generic term applied to certain types of paper frequently characterised by their relative high rigidity. The primary distinction between paper and board is normally based upon thickness or grammage, though in some instances the distinction will be based on the characteristics and/or end-use.

Component

For the purposes of this assessment, component refers to the different parts of a whole packaging unit that are separable by hand.

Drink Container

means a bottle or can which:

• contains or used to contain drink;
• is made wholly or mainly from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, glass, steel or aluminium;
• has a capacity of at least 150 millilitres but no more than three litres of liquid;
• is designed or intended to be sealed in an airtight and watertight state at the point of supply to a consumer in the United Kingdom; and
• is not conceived, designed or marketed to be refilled or reused in any other way by any person

Fibre-based composite packaging

Packaging material which is made of paperboard or paper fibres, with a layer of plastic greater than 5%, and which may also have layers of other materials, to form a single unit that cannot be separated by hand.

Non-paper content

The sum of all non-separable components of a fibre-based packaging product that are not defined as paper content expressed in percentage of total component weight. This means that all films, foils, coatings (except coatings mentioned in Paper Content definition), inks, varnishes would be excluded from the paper content.

Packaging Materials

Materials used in the manufacture of packaging and includes raw materials and processed materials prior to the conversion into packaging.

Paper

Paper consists mainly of natural cellulosic fibres and may contain other ingredients such as filling material, starch, clay or colour coatings including binder, as well as additives typically used in the paper industry such as wet-strength agents, sizing agents, dyes and bound water.

Paper Content

The sum of all non-separable components of a fibre-based packaging product that are defined as paper content expressed in percentage of total component weight. The paper content includes natural cellulosic wood fibres, paper making additives (e.g. wet strength, sizing agents, fillers and dyes), water content and clay coatings or colour coatings.

Plastics (Films / Flexibles)

Plastics classified as “flexible” refer to packaging structures which flex easily, and which can be made of both single and multiple layers of materials. Common examples of flexible plastic packaging include bread bags, snack wrappers, netted produce bags, zipper-lock pouches, lidding film and sachets.

Plastics (Rigids)

Plastics classified as “rigid” in packaging refer to items that maintain a defined shape and structural integrity under normal conditions of use. These materials are typically stiff and durable, offering protection and support for a wide range of products. Common examples of rigid plastics in packaging include bottles, pots, tubs, trays, tubes, caps, and closures.

Predominant Material

Where a whole unit of packaging or a packaging component is comprised of two or more materials, the predominant material is the one that is greatest by weight.

Primary Packaging

Packaging conceived so as to constitute a sales unit to the final user or consumer at the point of purchase.

Printing Inks

For the purpose of this assessment, printing inks are classified as:

• mixtures of colourants with other substances which are applied on materials to form a graphic or decorative design together with or without
• other coloured or uncoloured overprint varnishes/ coatings or primers which are normally applied in combination with a) inks

Printing inks do not include coatings which are applied with the prime objective of enabling the material or article to achieve a technical function such as heat sealing, barrier, corrosion resistance etc., as opposed to a graphic effect, even though they may be coloured.

Recycling

Has the meaning given in Article 3(17) of the Waste Framework Directive: “Any recovery operation by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original or other purposes. It includes the reprocessing of organic material but does not include energy recovery and the reprocessing into materials that are to be used as fuels or for backfilling operations.”^{[footnote 2]}

Re-use

Any operation by which packaging items that are not waste are used again for the same purpose for which they were conceived.

Secondary packaging

This is packaging that:

• is conceived so as to constitute at the point of purchase a grouping of a certain number of sales units, whether that grouping is supplied as such to the final user or consumer or whether it serves only as a means to replenish the shelves at the point of sale
• can be removed from the product without affecting the product’s characteristics

Shipment Packaging

Refers to tertiary packaging on, or that is used to contain, items which are supplied or are intended to be supplied to a consumer.

Tertiary Packaging

Is conceived so as to facilitate the handling and transport of one or more sales units, or secondary packaging, for example by preventing damage from physical handling and transport damage; and is not a road, rail, ship or air container

Unit

A whole unit of packaging can be made up of one or multiple components that are combined together to create the complete item of packaging.

1. CPI Design for Recyclability Guidelines 4th Edition ↩

2. Article 3(17) of the Waste Directive ↩