Recycling Assessment Methodology: What it means for your business

A new recycling assessment methodology will play a key role in shaping the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation – and could have a noticeable impact on your business.

But what is the recycling assessment methodology? And how will it affect your business?

The Recycling Assessment Methodology (RAM) is a clear and standardised approach to measuring the recyclability of different household packaging materials. It ensures businesses pay fees based on the actual recyclability of their packaging, not just whether it can be collected. This shift in approach will make sustainable packaging choices more cost-effective and push companies toward better environmental practices.

This guide explains the recycling assessment methodology, why it matters, and how to prepare your business. Now is the time to rethink your packaging as the new rules take effect.

As part of the recycling assessment methodology, you will assess each packaging component through five key stages of recyclability:

• Classification
• Collection
• Sortation
• Reprocessing
• Application

Each of the stages may produce a different result for each packaging component. The highest result from any stage of the assessment will determine the final category of the product.

The final result of the assessment will be classified using a Red, Amber, Green (RAG) system:

• Red: difficult to recycle.
• Amber: may face challenges during collection, sorting, or reprocessing.
• Green: widely recyclable within the current UK recycling infrastructure.

The first step in preparing for the recycling assessment methodology is identifying your primary packaging materials, including all types of packaging across your product range: paper, plastics, metals, glass, and composite materials. Once identified, you can evaluate their recyclability and determine their RAG results.

You should ensure you fully understand composition, separability, and how you process the materials at each stage of the recycling journey. You must avoid gaps in your data to ensure that each material is accurately assessed.

For each material assessed, you should ensure that you have evidence to support the RAG classification you are claiming. Verifiable evidence will help to justify your packaging decisions and avoid potential compliance issues.

You can contact your packaging supplier(s) for specific details about their materials. Suppliers may already be familiar with the recycling assessment methodology requirements, and their input could be crucial in ensuring that your packaging meets the necessary standards.

Currently, On-Pack Recycling Labels (OPRL) provides recyclability guidelines based on the likelihood of consumers recycling packaging. However, the recycling assessment methodology will set a new national recyclability standard under the EPR legislation.

OPRL has announced plans to adapt its Recyclability Assessment Tool to align fully with the new methodology criteria. They state that research has shown that most consumers turn to packaging for instructions on recycling. Therefore, consistent messaging is crucial when it comes to communicating recycling information.

OPRL’s new Recyclability Assessment Tool helps brands make informed choices around their packaging design to reduce their financial obligations under EPR by analysing data, including the size and weight of components, packaging type, materials, and laminations or coatings.

The EPR legislation makes organisations significantly more responsible for the recovery and recycling costs of their packaging. Variable fees also aim to encourage the use of more easily recycled materials. Affected businesses may need to report packaging use, pay fees, and purchase Packaging Waste Recovery Notes (PRNs).

The recycling assessment methodology will play a crucial role in this law by determining the recyclability of the packaging materials instead of relying on general assumptions or simple recycling methods.

The recycling assessment methodology will directly affect PRNs by influencing the packaging recyclability assessments and the fees businesses pay under the EPR legislation.

As the recycling assessment methodology assesses the packaging based on its actual recyclability, more difficult-to-recycle packaging will attract higher PRN fees. This means that more easily recyclable packaging will lead to lower PRN costs.

The link between recyclability and PRN costs creates a financial incentive for businesses to choose more sustainable packaging materials. As companies look to reduce their PRN expenditure, they will be more motivated to switch to eco-friendly, recyclable materials.

The recycling assessment methodology is a key part of the UK’s EPR legislation. It ensures businesses pay fees based on the actual recyclability of their packaging. It evaluates the materials using five stages, leading to an RAG result system that determines PRN costs.

To prepare, you must understand your packaging materials, gather accurate data, and work with your supplier to ensure you are compliant. Shifting towards more recyclable materials for your packaging using the recycling assessment methodology will encourage a shift towards a circular economy, benefiting businesses and the environment.

As a customer of GWP, we can advise on changes to your packaging that can help align you with the new legislation, minimising your potential costs and environmental impact. We can also design and manufacture a huge range of sustainable packaging, suitable for virtually any application.

So, if you require assistance regarding the recycling assessment methodology, please get in touch.

GWP believe this information is correct at the time of publication. The content of this article is also subject to change as the legislation is updated.

Please also note that the information provided is intended as a guide only. GWP can accept no responsibility or liability for loss, damage, or any other consequences of reliance on this information, howsoever caused. As all applications and scenarios vary, it is your responsibility or the responsibility of your business to ensure that you pay tax if and where applicable. If in any doubt, please check with your tax advisor.