10 Codes of Conduct for Design for Recyclability (DfR) 

As part of our EverMinds platform and approach to Thinking Circular, at Borealis we work closely with our value chain partners to develop polyolefin-based material solutions and concepts that accelerate the transition to the Circular Economy. There are promising opportunities for business growth in replacing the linear model of “take-make-dispose” with a more circular one focused on recycling.

Polyolefins (PE and PP) are an ideal material for designing flexible and rigid packaging that can be recycled and these Design for Recyclability (DfR) Codes should be adopted to optimise their recyclability.

DfR incorporates recycling codes of conduct into the design process keeping in mind the end-of-life aspects after its original intended use. These DfR Codes are an essential tool for delivering to market plastic packaging, with the right functionalities, yet also, helps conserve natural resources and minimise waste (including product waste) disposal or incineration and littering. DfR can maximise recycling rates for all kinds of plastic packaging because it makes separation and reprocessing more efficient. It also ensures the steady and affordable supply of high-quality recyclates, from so called “recycling-ready” packaging. Those recyclates also have a significantly lower CO2 footprint and require less fossil fuel in the manufacturing process versus production of virgin resin.

While there are many aspects of plastic packaging design that make packaging “recycling-ready”, we have identified three key overarching codes of conduct when designing for the function (such as preservation, safety and wastage) of the packaging:

• Use as few different polymer types, components and materials as possible in the design of the overall packaging. This applies to all packaging components such as the body, closures (caps, liners seals), lidding and any other additional components.
• Make it easy to strip and/or wash off all decoration (such as labels, sleeves, adhesives, printing and inks) from the main functional part of the packaging
• By no means, should packaging designed according to the DfR Codes impact the preservation/protection the food or product, however do ensure that the requirement is really necessary and not over-engineering.

The following “do's and don'ts” help our partners and customers navigate the relatively new and complex field of DfR in Polyolefins. These codes are based on current circumstances and technologies used in European countries and we recommend that you regularly consult trade and industry bodies such as Plastics Recyclers Europe and the Institute Cyclos-HTP in order to stay up to date on emerging technologies, waste stream evolutions, application-specific DfR guidelines, recyclability assessments and new sorting and reprocessing capabilities.

Download: 10 Codes of Conduct (PDF)

Read more: https://www.borealiseverminds.com/