Glossary & Regulations

Biobased plastics

Biobased plastics are made of materials derived from biomass (plants, e.g. corn, sugarcane, starch
etc.). They can be either biodegradable or non-biodegradable, the term ‘biobased’ only indicates the source of the material.

Biodegradable plastics

Biodegradable plastics break down under very specific conditions within a defined period of time. The material decomposes by microorganisms into water, carbon dioxide, methane and sometimes biomass. Biodegradable material can be either biobased or made of fossil fuels, the term ‘biodegradable’ only indicates the end-of-life of the material.

Compostables plastics

Compostable plastics come from renewable materials and break down through composting. Compostable plastics are made from polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is made from dextrose, a sugar produced by plants. Currently, the most common raw material for PLA is field corn, although other plant sources may be used in the future. Compostable plastics are the best choice for foodservice ware that will have food residue. For example teabags or coffee pads.

Recycling process

The collection, sorting and (mechanical) reprocessing of used materials into new products.

Recyclate

Recycled plastic suitable for use in new products.

Mechanical recycling

Mechanical recycling is the process of recovering plastic waste by mechanical processes such as sorting, washing, drying, grinding, re-granulating and compounding. Mechanical recycling does not change the chemical structure of the material, which permits multiple re-use/recycling of polymeric materials.

Chemical recycling

Chemical recycling is a range of emerging technologies in the waste management industry which allow plastics to be recycled, that are difficult or uneconomic to recycle mechanically. By turning plastic waste back into base chemicals and chemical feedstocks, chemical recycling processes have the potential to dramatically improve recycling rates and divert plastic waste from landfill or incineration.

Recyclable

Being recyclable means that, in theory, the material of the package can be used in the production of new products. However, for a package to be actually recycled, it must be correctly disposed, collected, sorted and recycled.

Design for recyclability

Design for recycling means that care is taken during a packaging’s design and development process to ensure the packaging is suitable for recycling after being used or reused. Factors like closures, labels, glues and ink may hinder the recycling process or influence the quality of the recyclate.

Circular economy

EU goal for 2050 is a circular economy. That means a system in which products and materials flow in cycles without loss in quality or quantity. A circular economy aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times.

Carbon black

Carbon black is a black colorant for plastics, usually found in darker colours because it is cheap and has a very deep colour. The carbon black colorant absorbs near infra-red (light) used for material detection in recycling process. Due to the absorption of the light, packaging with carbon black cannot be detected and will not be recycled.

Carbon black free

Carbon-free pigments enable full detectability of black (and other dark coloured plastics). This means that black plastics are being recycled and not incinerated. Carbon-free pigments enable full-detectability of black and dark coloured plastics on recycling sorting machines.

End-of-life

Treatment of materials and products after disposal. For packaging, materials can be reused, recycled, incinerated or dumped as landfill.

Life cycle thinking

An approach that goes beyond only considering environmental impacts during production of products. It considers the impacts of all life cycle phases. Life cycles phases typically consist of: raw material sourcing, production, distribution, usage and end-of-life.