The trade magazine for the packaging industry
The trade magazine for the packaging industry
Manufacturers can now share the recyclability of their packaging and the corresponding certificate with all partners in the global data network via standardised electronic data exchange.
The recyclability of packaging is determined by the proportion of recycled material and its recyclability. These properties are becoming increasingly important, especially in light of the legal obligations under the German Packaging Act. But they are also important for informing customers, dual systems and the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) in order to communicate the recyclability of yoghurt pots, shampoo bottles and other product sleeves.
This means that distributors, such as the manufacturers of consumer goods, are faced with the challenge of meeting the Proof of the recyclability of your product packaging to provide. Waste management defines packaging as recyclable if it can be recycled after separate collection and technical waste treatment.
For more transparency in this regard the data attribute „recyclability“ in the network of international data pools (GDSN) available. To this end, experts in the „Digitalisation“ specialist package of the Forum Rezyklat The required content is defined in advance and submitted for standardisation via GS1 committees. Using the example of a combination pack, they also describe briefly and concisely in a free guide how companies can best provide the data for the GDSN. The document is available at http://www.forum-rezyklat.de available.
Together with the existing „Recyclate“ attribute, this provides companies with the required set of data fields in the GDSN, to provide all partners with standardised information on the recyclability of their packaging as part of the product data. This provides manufacturers of sales packaging and secondary packaging, which typically accumulates as waste with private end consumers, for example, with further advantages. This is because they are obliged to participate in the dual systems and pay the fees for this. Since 2019, the fees incurred have also been based on how well the packaging can be recycled.
The existing proof, e.g. in the form of a certificate, companies can optionally upload information on product-related recyclability in the GDSN via the „M378“ attribute.
„It is extremely important that consumer goods manufacturers utilise this additional attribute in order to achieve broad use of the data attribute for recyclability. Using GDSN, the information can be distributed efficiently in a one-to-many process, meaning that once it has been set, it is simultaneously accessible to all partners involved.“
Axel Trahms, Project Manager at Rossmann
Source: Forum Recyclate
The Forum Rezyklat is addressing the need for a uniform declaration of conformity and is currently developing a standardised template for the relevant stakeholders in the packaging value chain.
Forum Rezyklat is publishing an explanatory letter to accompany the German minimum standard for assessing the recyclability of packaging subject to system participation, which is intended to clarify any existing ambiguities.
Packaging for decorative cosmetics often consists of numerous materials that make it difficult to assess its recyclability. The Forum Rezyklat therefore calls for the recyclability of packaging to be considered at the design stage.
The Forum Rezyklat has published an analysis on the substitution of disposable transport packaging with suitable reusable systems, which should lead to a reduction in the volume of packaging in logistics.
A study has evaluated various innovative identification methods for plastic packaging and provides information on the potential for retrofitting.
Manufacturers can now share the recyclability of their packaging and the corresponding certificate with all partners in the global data network via standardised electronic data exchange.