Design-for-recycling guidelines for PET trays

Brussels – Brussels-based Plastics Recyclers Europe has released design-for-recycling guidelines for PET trays. With one for clear thermoforms and the other for coloured thermoforms, these guidelines are said to set the basic principles to create PET trays which could be treated by future plastics recycling plants dedicated to this stream. The eco-design of PET trays is a first, compulsory step to start the development of PET trays recycling, it is emphasised. Additionally, this waste stream of 800 000 tonnes must be collected and sorted accordingly to create a dedicated waste stream. These two actions are essential in order to create a real recycling stream for PET trays and allow this specific packaging to help in reaching the upcoming EU recycling targets, the organisation explains.
Plastics Recyclers Europe is calling on the value chain – including converters, retailers, brand owners and raw material producers – to join forces in building up to a platform for PET trays similar to the European PET Bottle Platform.
www.plasticsrecyclers.eu