Recyclability testing in line with the VerpackG

Recyclability Testing in line with the VerpackG

By certifying the recyclability of their products, packaging producers are able to benefit from financial advantages deriving from the VerpackG (German Packaging Law). Furthermore, in 2021, the introduction of the ‘Plastics Tax’ means that those producers of non-recyclable products will pay a further penalty. Recycling, then, is becoming an increasingly important strategy for producers in terms of sustainability and marketing communications.

The Legal Basics of the VerpackG

The European Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste stipulates as follows:

• The avoidance of packaging waste
• The recovery of waste that cannot be avoided 
• The reduction in the disposal of packaging waste, i.e. recycling

In addition, the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) sets concrete targets at a national level for material-specific recycling targets by the year 2022. A packaging design tailored to the requirements of the recycling technology is one of the promising drivers for meeting these targets.

The Minimum Standard as a Basis for Recyclability

According to § 21 of the VerpackG, the minimum standard for the measurement of recyclability was issued by the Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (Central Packaging Register). Thereby, three minimum criteria were specified in order to ensure recyclability:

• Technical sortability and the existence of a recycling infrastructure
• Technical sortability and the possible separability of the individual components
• Exclusion of recycling incompatibilities

Our offer

The recyclability evaluation can be performed based on already existing data sheets and specifications. In order to support you, Eurofins companies independently contact the manufacturers of packaging materials on your behalf and requests data sheets and specifications. The advantage of this approach is that you can cut down on time and expense, avoiding cost intensive and time-consuming analyses of your packaging material. In order to analyse the collected data, each material is tested using material-specific criteria that can be categorised in three categories: infrastructure, sorting and recycling.

The result of the assessment is an indication of the product’s recyclability, up to 100%. In addition to a test report and a material-specific sorting scheme, you will also receive an unlimited certificate*.

*If there are changes in the composition of the assessed packaging, changes in the legal situation or fundamental innovations of the technical recycling standard contradicting the guidelines, the validity of the certificate expires.