Polytag, a leader in connected packaging and recycling technology, has announced a game-changing development for the UK’s food and drink packaging sector. Marks & Spencer (M&S) has become the first retailer to implement invisible UV tags on its popular four-pint milk products, now readily available in stores nationwide.
A groundbreaking initiative to enhance UK recycling rates
These UV tags, which remain invisible to consumers, are printed directly onto the labels of M&S’s four-pint milk bottles. Once these bottles are recycled by households, they enter recycling facilities equipped with Polytag’s Plastic Detection Units, enabling real-time monitoring of recycling activity.
By integrating invisible UV tags, M&S now obtains barcode-level insights into the recycling habits of consumers, tracking when, where, and how much of its single-use plastic packaging is processed. This data will assist in accurately measuring sustainability targets, enhancing recycling claims, and ensuring compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, potentially lowering associated costs through improved reporting.
An evolution in the UK recycling landscape
In the last year, Polytag has collaborated with major recycling organizations like Biffa and Re-Gen to deploy UV Plastic Detection Units at some of the UK’s busiest recycling facilities. This initiative, part of the Ecotrace Programme, includes a substantial £100,000 investment from M&S, covering up to 50% of the UK. By enhancing packaging traceability nationwide, Polytag is promoting closed-loop recycling systems aimed at increasing the supply of high-quality recycled plastic.
Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, stated:
“Retailers and brands can no longer afford to lose sight of packaging the moment it leaves their supply chain. With EPR now in effect, we’re entering a new era where real data is not just helpful, it’s essential.
“By tagging products and tracking their journey through the recycling system, we’re creating a clear line of sight from shelf to sorting facility. M&S taking this first-to-shelf step signals not only a commitment to transparency but also a significant shift in how the industry addresses responsibility. This represents a major milestone for the Ecotrace Programme and for the broader UK recycling sector.”
Mark Hitschmann, Head of Packaging at M&S Food, commented:
“Reducing plastic is central to our Plan A journey to Net Zero, and since 2022, we’ve eliminated over 500 million units from our Foodhalls. We’re renowned for innovation, whether product-led—with offerings like our Brain Food range, or sustainability-focused through our Plan A Accelerator Fund. Through our collaboration with Polytag, we expect to gain valuable insights into the real-world handling of our packaging. Our customers consistently express a desire for reduced plastic usage, and this initiative further reassures them that M&S is committed to helping them make more sustainable choices in their shopping experience.”
Polytag’s invisible UV tags—comprised of data matrix codes—are printed onto milk bottles at standard line speeds by Interket UK. To learn more about this innovative development, visit https://polytag.io/ecotrace/.
