The Central Agency Packaging Register has published the new edition of the Minimum Standard 2023. The publication is in agreement with the Federal Environment Agency. The consultation process also focussed on the importance of a recycling infrastructure to promote high-quality recycling.
Recycling-orientated packaging design and recycling practices in which packaging can actually be recycled are important for conserving resources. Just as companies design their packaging with its properties in mind, so too must Plant technologies, process technologies and their capacities adapted to the respective material requirements become.
The Packaging Act therefore stipulates that packaging may only be categorised as recyclable if a functioning recycling infrastructure is in place. Within the framework of a study by the Federal Environment Agency, the specific sorting and recycling capacities for the different types of packaging are scientifically determined annually. The results are incorporated into the further development of the minimum standard. In particular, quantitative statements are made on the availability of existing sorting and recycling structures, differentiated by packaging type.
On this basis, the minimum standard already regulates the cases in which individual proof of actual recycling is required. If capacities are proven for more than 80 per cent of the material flow, it is assumed that a sufficient recycling infrastructure is in place. If the sorting and recovery capacities cover less than 20 per cent of the material flow, companies already have to provide proof of recycling. Itemisation of the utilisation provide evidence. If there are limited recycling capacities of between 20 and 80 per cent, such individual proof may be required since 2019.
In order to further promote high-quality recycling, it makes sense to Classification of the actual sorting and recycling capacities should be more clearly defined. This is the only way to generate interest in building up recycling capacities. In fact, these are declining for individual packaging materials, and this needs to be counteracted. The proposed solution in the consultation process: Abolition of the large bandwidth between 20 and 80 per cent, for which there was no real regulation. This would simplify the application and interpretation of the minimum standard and promote high-quality recycling.
To ensure that the minimum standard sustainable steering effect, a holistic solution is required. On the one hand by the companies, by making their packaging recyclable. On the other hand, by the systems and product managers, who must ensure that the Recycling infrastructures are de facto available. This spoke in favour of the proposed solution. However, it was argued during the consultation process that greater consideration should be given to lead times. In addition, standardised measurement and test procedures would have to be defined to determine sufficient recycling capacity for specific packaging.
The approach of focusing more strongly on recycling capacities is the right one and will be pursued further, but not with the minimum standard of 2023. The topic is already highly prioritised in the draft of the planned European Packaging Ordinance. It is therefore to be expected that packaging will always have to be reusable or recyclable in the future, even if the specific requirements and limit values of the expected European regulations have not yet been finalised. Focussing on this Early and structured preparation is an opportunity and ensures the marketability of the packaging solution.
In this year's minimum standard, the ZSVR one Limit value defined for the light transmission (translucency) of glass. This determines whether glass packaging is recyclable. If glass packaging is not permeable to light, it is sorted out in the plants as a contaminant as it is not recyclable. This is the case with painted bottles, for example.
In the 2023 minimum standard Nitrocellulose (NC)-based printing inks in intermediate printing classified as non-recyclable. NC impairs the mechanical recycling process due to its limited temperature resistance and reduces the quality of recyclates.
Source: ZSVR
