The so-called 2025 minimum standard was published on September 1 and primarily serves to modulate participation fees. In addition, it is increasingly being used by companies that have set themselves the goal of using only recyclable packaging or pursuing other sustainability objectives whose achievement is linked to recyclability. Freshplaza spoke with Claudia Schuh from Lorentzen & Sievers about the current version and how it differs from previous years.
With the 2025 minimum standard for measuring the recyclability of packaging in accordance with § 21 VerpackG, there is now a much more differentiated assessment basis than in previous years' versions. The new methodology is already based on the PPWR, allows a percentage assessment of recyclability, and takes four criteria into account: sortability, separability, recycling incompatibilities, and the existence of a recycling infrastructure. The latter must be viewed critically from Lorentzen & Sievers' perspective because packaging that is considered non-recyclable is increasingly being avoided, which in turn makes investments in urgently needed recycling infrastructure increasingly unattractive.
© Lorentzen & Sievers
Lorentzen & Sievers answer "no" to the question of whether the new minimum standard has abolished the previous 95/5 rule. "Packaging with a foreign material content of more than 5% is considered composite packaging. But composite packaging can also be recyclable," explains Claudia Schuh from Lorentzen & Sievers. "The difference lies mainly in disposal. Paper packaging with a foreign material content of less than 5% belongs in the paper bin and is recorded in the PPK category. Composite packaging belongs in the yellow bag or in the recycling bin."
© Lorentzen & Sievers
Lorentzen & Sievers gives an example: "If you want to use a paper flow pack as a predominantly plastic-free alternative to classic BOPP film and want a cellulose window that is large enough to make the product visible, resulting in a foreign material content of 10%, then the recyclability is calculated as a percentage of the recyclable content in grams, e.g., 18 grams of kraft paper (this is the recyclable content) for a flow pack, minus 2 grams of cellulose film (1.8 grams), printing ink, and sealing wax (0.2 grams), divided by the total weight of the packaging of 20 grams equals 80% recyclability. The packaging is disposed of in the yellow bag or in the recycling bin."
"We assume that the European Commission will incorporate the German assessment method when developing the pending delegated act that will define the basis for measuring recyclability in accordance with the PPWR. Even though the PPWR only stipulates a minimum recyclability of 70% from 2030 onwards, the minimum standard provides us with a robust tool to prepare ourselves for the PPWR in the best possible way right now. As a company of the Prodinger Group, we supply the complete range from primary to tertiary packaging and support our customers in preparing themselves as best as possible for the requirements of the PPWR," concludes Claudia Schuh.
For more information:
www.lorentzen-sievers.de/