Design-for-Recycling guidelines
Get input on best practice to desigining you packaging for recycling.
Why design for Recycling guidelines?
Design for Recycling (D4R) guidelines are the technical rulebooks that translate a recyclability scheme into specific, actionable design rules or guidelines for packaging. They define which polymers, colours, additives, layer structures, label adhesives, closure systems and decoration techniques are compatible with the relevant collection, sorting, recycling and end-application steps and which are not, in a traffic light system. The guidelines are issued and maintained by the scheme owners or by industry value-chain initiatives, and updated as recycling infrastructure and regulation evolve.
The main D4R guidelines we work with.
RecyClass Design for Recycling Guidelines for rigid and flexible plastic packaging, maintained by RecyClass and updated annually. Aligned with the RecyClass Recyclability Methodology and EN 13430.
CERTIFY design-for-recycling guidelines for glass, metals, paper and cardboard, developed and maintained by CIRCPACK. Aligned with EN 13430 and structured on the same four-stage logic as the plastics scheme.
FBCA Design for Recycling Guidelines for liquid packaging cartons and other fibre-based composite packaging, maintained by the Food & Beverage Carton Alliance and updated alongside the RECY:CHECK methodology.
Why the design stage matters? The cost of correcting an incompatible design choice grows materially once tooling, supplier contracts and artwork are committed. The cost of certifying a pack that fails the relevant D4R guidance, the audit time, re-test, redesign cycle, delay to launch, can be significant.
Check out all up to date guidelines here:
Ready to certify your packaging?
Send us your packaging spec and we'll come back within 48 hours with a scoped quote, methodology and timeline.
Frequently asked questions.
No. D4R is interpretive guidance, not a third-party certification. The value is in catching issues before certification — most clients then run the formal RecyClass, CERTIFY or RECY:CHECK file on the same pack once the design is locked.
The earlier the better. A concept-stage review costs less and unlocks more design flexibility than a review on a near-tooling specification. We routinely engage at first-prototype stage.
All major streams: plastics, paper, cardboard, glass, metals and beverage cartons. The consolidated rule set keeps you aligned across mixed-material portfolios.