16 Aug. 2023: In 2023, CPI launched Papercycle, an online recyclability assessment and certification service for fibre-based products and materials. This process has now become mainstream, and in just over a year of active operations, we have proved that stringent recyclability testing will be the cornerstone of the future of fibre-based packaging.

The CPI Board has concluded that Papercycle has achieved its objectives, and now is the appropriate time to complete the project. As a result, Papercycle will not be accepting any new work and will cease operations once its pipeline of existing commitments is complete.

Papercycle was established to prove the concept of a recyclability assessment and certification service dedicated to determining the recyclability of fibre-based packaging formats and materials, including which types of mills can reprocess specific types of packaging for the UK, and beyond. We have proven that the concept works, and succeeded in mainstreaming recyclability testing of fibre-based packaging in the UK and Europe.

CPI’s focus will now be on integrating the recyclability learnings from Papercycle in future policy-making to optimise the implementation of the Government’s ongoing collection and packaging recycling reforms. We will continue to engage with Government and the sector to promote the need for rigorous recyclability assessments under Extended Producer Responsibility, and supported by our Recyclability Guidelines.

We look forward to continuing our work with CPI members and the wider industry to reduce the volumes of contaminants in paper for recycling and boost the UK’s recycling rates.

For further information contact Andrew Large (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).