In this edition of the Spotlight, Coveris explains how its ReCover recycling business is helping to advance compliance with legislation and bolster the company’s capabilities for sourcing, processing and recycling plastic waste.
Driving circularity and compliance with EPR & PPWR
As the packaging industry navigates an evolving regulatory landscape, Coveris remains at the forefront of sustainable innovation with its dedicated recycling business, ReCover. With the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the recently issued Recycling Assessment Methodology (RAM) tool and the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) redefining industry obligations, ReCover plays a pivotal role in advancing Coveris’ No Waste vision and compliance with legislation.
A proactive approach to compliance
Under EPR, companies placing packed goods on the market bear the lifecycle costs of their packaging, including collection, sorting, and recycling. The UK’s scheme introduces modulated fees, meaning businesses will be incentivized to design packaging that is easier to recycle. Similarly, the EU’s PPWR mandates that all packaging be recyclable by 2030, with clear targets for minimum recycled content in plastic packaging.
ReCover directly aligns with these legislative shifts by bolstering Coveris’ capabilities in sourcing, processing, and recycling plastic waste, helping to close the packaging loop. By increasing the availability of high-quality recyclate, ReCover provides a new source of recycled content for Coveris to integrate into its packaging solutions. Coveris’ packaging innovation is centred on sustainable solutions compliant with both EPR’s recyclability requirements and PPWR’s mandated recycled content targets.
Expanding recycling capacity to meet market needs
With ambitious goals to increase plastic recycling capacity to 50,000 tonnes by 2026 and 90,000 tonnes by 2030, ReCover is scaling up efforts to support both Coveris and its customers in meeting legislative and sustainability demands. This includes pioneering recycling methods to maximize material recovery from different film waste streams. By doing so, ReCover not only supplies Coveris with high-quality recyclate but also contributes to broader industry efforts to enhance recycling infrastructure.
Pioneering de-inking technology
Launched in 2023, Coveris’ ReCover facility in Louth, UK, employs pioneering de-inking technology to remove ink from printed polyethylene films, transforming packaging waste into high-quality recycled PE resin, known as ReGen.
Partnering to advance the circular economy
Further supporting its No Waste sustainability strategy and ReCover mission to keep plastic circular, Coveris has a strategic partnership with leading environmental service provider, Interzero. Formed to advance the circular economy, the partnership provides post-consumer waste for ReCover to recycle and produce high-quality recycled resins. With this partnership, Coveris and Interzero can offer full closed-loop solutions.
Delivering EPR and PPWR-ready solutions
The innovative ReCover model supports Coveris’ development of packaging that meets the highest sustainability criteria. Coveris’ innovation of award-winning mono-material structures such as its MonoFlex range ensures packaging is more readily recyclable within existing waste management systems. Complemented by integrating increased levels of recyclates in its plastic products, Coveris is well-positioned to align with EPR’s recyclability incentivized modulated fee structure and comply with PPWR’s minimum PCR content regulations.
Shaping the future of sustainable packaging
By investing in innovative recycling technologies via ReCover, forging partnerships within the supply chain and a continued focus on environmentally responsible packaging and operations, Coveris is taking a leading role in sustainability within the sector, whilst empowering its customers to meet their own commitments. With the No Waste strategy at the heart of Coveris’ business, ReCover exemplifies how proactive leadership and ambitious change can drive meaningful environmental progress whilst meeting legislative responsibilities.
Join Coveris at Packaging Innovations, the UK’s premier industry event, on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th February at the NEC, Birmingham and Plastics Recycling Show Europe (PRSE) on Tuesday 1st and Wednesday 2nd April at RAI, Amsterdam, for the latest developments in sustainable packaging aligned with EPR and PPWR.
This content was sponsored by Coveris.
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