Following testing by an independent laboratory, the single unit wrapper for Hanky Tissue products developed by Essity, a Swedish hygiene and health company, has been found to be fully compatible with the European flexible polyethylene recycling stream.
The sorting behaviour and recycling compatibility were assessed via the RecyClass Sorting Evaluation Protocol for Plastic Packaging and the RecyClass Evaluation Protocol for PE films.
The product in question consists of a water-based, resealable adhesive, coated on a polypropylene sticker applied on a PE film. Testing was performed on a PP sticker with slight printing. Adhesives of this kind are commonly used for resealable labels for dry applications, such as tissues.
Conformant with the RecyClass Sorting Evaluation Protocol, certification body CIRCPACK evaluated the sorting behaviour of this technology, demonstrating that around 86% of the packaging was sorted in the PE Flexibles stream.
Next, the recycling compatibility was evaluated at the Spanish Technological Institute of Plastics, Aimplas. According to their laboratory results, Essity’s single unit wrapper for Hanky Tissue products conforms to the current European coloured PE films recycling stream provided the conditions of the issued approval are complied with, particularly regarding the maximum amount of PP and water-based resealable adhesive present in the packaging.
The assessment showed that plastic generated by the recycling process can be re-used in closed-loop applications, such as PE blown films incorporating up to 25% of this material.
These tests underscore the importance of evaluating the recyclability of adhesives in the flexible stream, to ensure that the functionality of the packaging is maintained and that no disruption to the recycling processes occurs.
RecyClass Recyclability Approvals
RecyClass issues two types of Recyclability Approvals – Technology Approvals and Product Approvals. These are issued upon conducted testing in accordance with one of the established Recyclability Evaluation Protocols. Testing results are incorporated in the RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines and the Online Tool. The full list of approved Technologies and Products can be found on the RecyClass website.