A protocol that aims to guarantee the recyclability of polypropylene (PP) containers has been developed by recycling standards initiative RecyClass.
The Recyclability Evaluation Protocol for PP is guidance for carrying out laboratory testing of the various design features of rigid packaging made from PP resin.
Its ultimate objective is to establish the level of compatibility of a given product with the PP recycling stream.
The detailed laboratory procedure shows how to perform pre-treatment, extrusion and conversion tests.
These in turn will demonstrate whether the technology or product submitted for approval will have a negative impact on the recycling process. However, the protocol does not include guidance on the sortability tests of a component.
RecyClass PP Technical Committee chairman Werner Kruschitz said: “Recycling of PP containers remains unexploited, advancing its recyclability adds to increasing the potential of this stream and is a long-awaited step that shall be valued if we are to reach the recycling targets.”
The organisation has already developed protocols for PE films and HDPE containers.
These protocols can be viewed here
