The association Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE, Brussels / Belgium; www.plasticsrecyclers.eu) has launched the RecyClass tool on 8 May during the recycling conference "Let’s work together on plastics packaging design", which took place at the 2014 "interpack" (www.interpack.com) trade fair in Düsseldorf / Germany. The tool aims to improve the design of plastics packaging in respect to its recyclability.

In Düsseldorf, the European Commissioner for Environment, Janez Potočnik stated that “Recycling starts in the product design phase. The key to more sustainable plastics is better design of plastics and plastics products.”

“RecyClass is based on the existing recycling guidelines, the functioning of today’s recycling markets and the experience of the plastics recyclers”, said Paolo Glerean (PRE board member).

The RecyClass tool enables assessment of any kind of plastic packaging and allows to find out how environmentally friendly the packaging is. The tool also provides improvement tips for packaging design. The tool is now available online (www.recyclass.eu) in English and German for a free trial period of six months.