anx_II__table__4

Parameters for design for recycling criteria | Parameter’s relevance Additives | Additives refer often to substances added to materials to confer specific properties. The presence of additives in the packaging containers can result in incorrect sorting of the packaging materials during the sorting process and can contaminate the obtained secondary raw materials. Labels | Coverage rate of labels can affect the efficiency of the sorting process. Material from which the label is made and type of glue or adhesive also affect the quality of the secondary raw material. Sleeves | Coverage rate of the sleeve on the main packaging body affects the possibilities for sorting. In addition, the use of sleeves can affect the ability to separate them from the main packaging body. The material from which the sleeve is made can affect both the sortability and the recyclability of the packaging. Closures and other small packaging components | Closures refer to components used to close or seal the packaging. There may be different types of closures, rigid or flexible, such as tamper-evident shrink wrap, linings, caps, lids, seals, valves, etc. The material from which the closures is made can affect both the sortability and the recyclability of the packaging. Closures that are not firmly attached to the packaging can increase litter. Small packaging components attached to the main packaging body can affect the separability and the recyclability of the packaging. In addition, the components can be lost in the sorting and recycling process. Adhesives | Adhesives can be used in such a way that they can be easily separated in the recycling process or by the end user or in a way that they do not affect the efficiency of the sorting and recycling processes. The presence of adhesive residues on the packaging can downgrade the quality (purity) of the secondary raw materials. Washable adhesives can ensure the separation from the main packaging body and that no adhesive residue remains in the secondary raw material. Colours | Colours are substances that impart colour to the packaging material. Heavily dyed materials in paper or plastics can cause problems with regard to sorting and can downgrade the quality of secondary raw materials. Material composition | Use of mono-materials or material combinations that permit easy separation and ensure high yield of secondary raw materials is preferable. Barriers / coatings | The material or substance added to confer barrier properties (barrier), or a variety of materials applied on the surface to impart other properties (coating). The presence of barriers or coatings within the packaging can make recycling more difficult. Combinations that ensure high yield of secondary raw materials are preferable. Inks and lacquers / printing/ coding | Inks and lacquers are mixtures of colorants with other substances applied onto the material by a printing or coating process (ink) or a protective coating made of resin or cellulose ester, or both, dissolved in a volatile solvent (lacquer). Coding refers to printing applied directly to sales packaging for the purpose of batch coding and other information and branding. The use of inks with substances of concern hinders recycling, as those packaging units cannot be recycled. Printing inks when released can contaminate the recycling stream through the washing water. Likewise, printing inks which are not released can impair the transparency of the recycling stream. Product residues / ease of emptying | Residues of the content of the packaging can affect the sortability and the recyclability of the packaging. The design of the packaging should enable the easy emptying of its content and when disposed of should be in a fully drained condition. Ease of dismantling | Components that are firmly attached to each other can affect the sortability and the recyclability of the packaging. Packaging design can facilitate the possibility of separating different components into different material streams.

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Source: EUR-Lex CELLAR · retrieved 2026-08-26 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.