Interview: Expert Eleonore Delattre introduces RecyClass

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Eleonore Delattre joined RecycleMe’s consulting unit in France in 2024, and is responsible for technical consulting services concerning packaging. Educated as a packaging engineer and working in this field for 17 years. Eleonore has been trained as Recyclass auditor in August 2024.

One of the reasons for the expansion of the RecycleMe brand into France last year was the steadily growing international demand for consulting services and expertise in the field of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Last but not least, the EU Commission’s draft regulation on Packaging and Packaging Waste (PPWR) is forcing distributors from industry and trade to take a closer look at the recyclability of their packaging.

Why is “Design for Recycling” so relevant for companies in the EU?

With the combination of French and European regulations (AGEC law in France, PPWR in Europe), companies distributing in Europe are obliged to check the recyclability of their packaging, and if necessary change it to make it recyclable by 2030.
RecycleMe’s mission is to inform producers at an early stage, and to support them in their choice of alternative, and features to make it recyclable. I’m particularly pleased that we can also offer a recognized certification such as RecyClass.

What is RecyClass and what advantages does it offer companies?

RecyClass is an independent, non-profit initiative that brings together many recyclers in Europe, to align on the design features for an optimized recycling of plastics . They recommand or ban shapes, colorants and components that could enable to increase the quality and quantity recyclate of each polymer.

The overall aim is to promote the recyclability of plastic packaging through a harmonized approach across Europe, and to help manufacturers (consumer packaged goods, packaging manufacturers) meet their PPWR obligations.

What does RecyClass certification say about packaging?

RecyClass defines recyclability by a letter grade (from A to F) and also proposes a rate (%) of recyclability if the packaging is marketed in identified countries on which the producer wishes to communicate.

RecyClass offers three different types of certifications. Both the “Design for Recycling” and the “Recyclability Rate” certificates are for finished and complete packaging. The first one focuses on the technical recyclability of plastic packaging at EU level whereas the second one assesses the effective recyclability of a packaging in a specific country. The “Letter of Compatibility” classifies and assesses the technical recyclability of semi-finished plastic packaging. This last one gives a good indication of the potential recyclability of the final packaging. All certifications are based on the RecyClass guidelines for recycling..

How does the RecyClass certification work for RecycleMe customers?

If you would like to have your packaging certified with the RecyClass label, we will support you over a period of 5 to 6 weeks, issuing the certificate and suggesting areas for improvement.

Together, the RecycleMe auditor and the customer define a country scope and objective for this certification. The starting point for the audit is a complete data sheet on the packaging, inks and additives used by the manufacturer, as well as a sample to determine separability for sorting.
Once the analysis has been carried out, a RecyClass inspector checks the relevance of the analysis proposed by the auditor. At the end, the customer receives his certificate valid for three years.

Would you like to discuss your project? Do you have doubts about the recyclability of your product? Contact us for a tailor-made offer: contact.fr@recycleme.eco.