Glossary & Regulations

Biobased composites

Biocomposites are composites consisting of a
polymer and fibre, of which one or both can be
biobased. The polymer can be either biobased or
fossil based, and the fibre can be either natural or
synthetic. Examples of natural fibres include flax,
hemp, wood, cotton, coconut etc.

Biodegradable plastics

Biodegradable plastics break down under 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

Form of recycling in which plastics are separated
based on polymer type and then shredded into
pieces, washed and remelted into granulates.

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

Several factors may hinder the recycling process or influence the quality of the recyclate. It is important to take these into account when designing products.

Circular economy

Regenerative 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

Black colourant for plastics, usually found in darker colours because it is cheap and has a very deep colour. Carbon black absorbs near infrared (light) used for material detection in recycling and can therefore 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, considering the impacts of all life cycle
phases. Life cycles phases typically consist of: raw
material sourcing, production, distribution, usage
and end-of-life.