Berry Global’s refuse sacks business in Heanor, Derbyshire, has become the first plastic packaging manufacturer in the UK to achieve RecyClass Recycled Content certification for its ranges of refuse sacks made from post-consumer recycled plastic.

The RecyClass recycled content certification covers all clear, coloured and black refuse sacks in a range of widths and thicknesses, confirming that the recycled content is genuine and providing full transparency and traceability for the material used. The products containing recycled content were assessed in line with EN 15343:2007 standard to ensure procedures are in place to maintain traceability of the declared share of recycled plastics in products following a controlled blending chain of custody approach.

The certification confirms Berry’s technical leadership in recycling technologies and the development of more circular feedstocks, as well as the creation of products to help customers meet their sustainability goals, all of which are part of the company’s Impact 2025 sustainability strategy.

“This is an important achievement which helps to give customers complete assurance as to the authenticity of recycled plastic used in our refuse sacks,” commented Jagan Mohanraj, Innovation Director – Recycled Products, Berry Global. “This is especially important given the requirements of the UK Plastics Packaging Tax.”

RecyClass is a comprehensive cross-industry initiative that advances plastic packaging recyclability and ensures traceability and transparency of recycled plastic content in Europe. RecyClass has also developed a system for reliable calculation and verification of recycled content in plastic products.

The RecyClass certification follows the Heanor factory achieving the European Certificate for Plastics Recycling (EUCertPlast) for all the mechanically recycled plastic grades produced onsite. The EUCertPlast certification also works to the European Standard EN 15343:2007. It specifies the procedures for mechanical recycling that are needed for the traceability of recycled plastics. This is required by end users for the traceability of a batch of post-consumer recycled content in a product in order to ensure better product control.

“RecyClass recycled content certification provides a further link in this chain of custody,” concluded Jagan Mohanraj. “And because these accreditations apply both to the authenticity of the recycled material and its quality, consistency and traceability, they give customers the assurance that the products not only meet legislative requirements but continue to deliver the highest levels of performance.”