High-quality recycling starts with better waste sorting

A recycling project aimed at improving the valuable plastic parts of UK municipal waste, such as recyclable food-grade PET, is investigating the feasibility of using RFID technology for better sorting results
.

In the project, code-named SORT-IT, the packaging will be given a unique digital identity to facilitate the tracking and separation of packaging waste at material recovery facilities (MRFs)
.

Participating in the project is PragmatIC, a manufacturer of flexible electronics into which flexible integrated circuits can be embedded to create smart labels
.

Demand for food-grade PET recyclates will increase significantly as statutory targets for recyclate content in food and beverage packaging come into effect in the coming years
.
While the UK's current collection infrastructure is capable of collecting around 45% of municipal waste, the mixed nature of recycled materials makes it difficult to separate food-grade PET from other plastics
.

SORT-IT is one of several initiatives to increase material recycling rates
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Food-grade PET is often downcycled, most commonly made into fibers, or worse, thrown into landfills
.
If successful, this project could enable MRF to grade its plastic output and price the different bundles appropriately
.

"Circularity is a complex issue, and we see embedded electronics potentially being activated at multiple points throughout the life cycle of the package, solving part of the puzzle at each stage,
" said Scott White, CEO of PragmatIC
.

PragmatIC is collaborating with a range of companies in the project who believe smart labels offer possibilities in sorting
.
Bobby Manesh, head of research at Cymru's Advanced Manufacturing Research Center, said: "This feasibility study will provide a much-needed proof point for the return on investment of sorting using RFID
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With the data obtained, we hope to be able to meet the The partners work together to advance this project to larger scale deployments
.
"