Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE, Brussels / Belgium; www.plasticsrecyclers.eu) has published new and updated guidelines for characterising the input of plastics waste for recycling. Based on the expertise of European plastics recyclers, the guidelines aim to increase the quality of plastics recycling by providing an information benchmark and a harmonised system of characterising recyclers’ input. The association added that the document can be used by both sorting centres and recycling facilities to verify the reliability of suppliers and to characterise the content of bales.

Developed by product type, the guidelines are available for polyethylene and polypropylene films, HDPE containers, rigid PP and polystyrene packaging, rigid and flexible PVC, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and end-of-life vehicles (ELV) as well as clear, clear-blue, light-blue and coloured PET waste.

PRE said as the industry evolves, it will have to adjust the guidance based on individual needs and market changes. It also invites all users and stakeholders to provide feedback on the guidelines in order to improve them and adapt their suitability for industry’s needs. The previous version, known as bales characterisation guidelines, was first released in 2017, covering seven different streams.

Recently, the European recyclers association raised concerns about the major impacts to the recycling market due to the Covid-19-related closures of converting plants and record low prices for virgin plastics (see Plasteurope.com of 25.05.2020).