Operational Sorting Tests
Understanding the real life sorting outcomes and challenges of your packaging.
Trusted by global brand owners
What are operational sorting tests?
Operational sorting tests are used to assess the real-life sorting potential of your packaging. With RFID technology installed in one of our sorting facilities in Germany we can help you understand how your packaging is sorted and what challenges it faces. This can be size issues, rigidity issues, format specific issues, colour issues etc. With RFID technology we are able to give you precise answers to any sorting related question you might have and we will be able to give you direct advice on your packaging design to enhance the sortability, one of the key steps to designing your packaging to be recyclable.
At CIRCPACK, we have the capacity to test your packaging in other countries as well. Most commonly we test in our German facilities. Germany has a selective collection in place i.e. no glass and hardly any paper in the stream. We are also able to test in the UK with a commingled system in place i.e. glass and paper in the stream or in the France which has also a commingled collection system in place but excludes glass. This covers all different collection systems your packaging can end up after its disposal.
An operational sorting test is often used as a first step to obtain a recyclability certification.
Our process:
1. Quotation process
Reach out to us, once we understand your packaging and your needs we will be able to share a dedicated proposal with you.
2. Signature & shipment of samples
Once you have signed our proposal you can send us your samples. We most commonly work with 125 samples per tested packaging format (MRF testing) and 10 samples for glass sorting tests. The dedicated delivery addresses can be found in the proposal.
Shipping on a pallet? Please let us know in advance! In this case you should send the samples directly to the sorting facility.
3. Testing Phase
Once we receive your packaging it takes us around 3-4 weeks to prepare your samples and test them.
4. Reporting & final call
After 3-4 weeks we will send you our detailed reports. The report contain a descriptions of equipment used, pictures and description of your samples and the results and interpretation of the results. Once we share the report with you we will schedule a summary call to discuss the results and potential questions you might have.
What are glass sorting tests?
Glass sorting tests are performed differently to the operational sorting tests in an MRF. For the glass sorting tests, your packaging will be tested through an optical sorter, that is used in an operational sorting facility for glass packaging. This technology allows the separation of packaging glass from contaminants (ceramics, crystal, borosilicate…) and the test will provide quantified data on the sortability of your product. It will also assess whether your packaging is transparent enough to be sorted.
Ready to test your packaging?
Send us a packaging spec and we'll come back within 48 hours with a scoped quote, the right methodology, and a timeline.