Waitrose & Partners, a leading British supermarket chain, has recently joined Polytag’s Ecotrace Programme. This innovative, industry-led initiative aims to revolutionize the tracking and recycling of single-use plastic packaging in the UK, especially in the context of food and drink packaging.
By becoming a member of the Ecotrace Programme, Waitrose will gain access to the Polytag dashboard—an online platform providing real-time, unprecedented barcode-level lifecycle data on plastic packaging materials as they enter the recycling stream. This access is crucial for enhancing transparency and efficiency in food and drink sustainable packaging practices.
Ecotrace – Reshaping the UK’s Recycling Landscape
The Ecotrace Programme was launched in the summer of 2024 with the primary objective of optimizing the identification and recycling of plastic packaging waste. Polytag, in collaboration with its partners, is deploying cutting-edge invisible UV Tag detection technology at 12 strategically located Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of plastic recycling in the UK.
This initiative involves the installation of Polytag Plastic Detection Units at leading MRFs, which are retrofitted to conveyor belts. These units efficiently detect packaging that has been ‘marked’ with Polytag’s invisible UV Tags, applied quickly with fluorescent ink. As a result of this technological advancement, brands can now accurately track the volume of their packaging successfully recycled post-consumption.
12 MRFs Ready to Feature Polytag Detection Technology
With the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Legislation, retailers and brands are increasingly responsible for the recycling of their own packaging materials.
Polytag is on track to install 12 PDUs across MRFs nationwide, thereby expanding its coverage of the UK’s plastic waste stream. This will equip members with vital data that not only encourages accountability for single-use plastic packaging but also seeks to improve the country’s recycling rates significantly.
Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, stated:
“Waitrose joins us at a pivotal moment as we work towards our goal of installing PDUs at 12 sites within the first year of our Ecotrace Programme. This is an incredible achievement that will empower FMCG brands, retailers, and waste management companies by granting access to vital granular barcode-level data on 50% of the UK’s waste recycling stream.
“This progress would not be achievable without partners like Waitrose, who share our vision of transforming how we track and recycle plastic waste. Their involvement represents a significant milestone for us, and we are proud to collaborate to drive meaningful change in recycling rates. We are eager to connect with other industry leaders interested in joining the Programme to foster a more circular economy.”
Denise Mathieson, Head of Packaging Design & Delivery at Waitrose, remarked:
“At Waitrose, we are committed to minimizing our environmental footprint by discovering innovative solutions to enhance the recyclability of our packaging. Joining Polytag’s Ecotrace Programme is a critical step towards improving our ability to trace and comprehend the lifecycle of our plastic packaging post-consumption.
Leveraging Polytag’s technology, we will gain unprecedented insights into the recycling success of our packaging. This knowledge empowers us to make informed decisions that advance our commitment to a circular economy. This initiative aligns seamlessly with our ongoing sustainability strategy and emphasizes our dedication to reducing single-use plastic waste. We look forward to collaborating with Polytag and other retailers to foster significant industry-wide change, ultimately supporting a more transparent and effective recycling system in the UK.”
Discover more about Polytag’s technology here: https://polytag.io/
