OPRL and Valpak to form alliance to increase packaging recyclability

The On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme is to form a close alliance with packaging compliance scheme Valpak in order to best serve the interests of their overlapping memberships.

The OPRL scheme, which recently reached 250 members, is run by OPRL Ltd and is used by more than 600 brands. The new partnership between OPRL and Valpak will help to ensure that packaging is easily recyclable and clearly labelled to engage consumers in recycling. OPRL will use Valpak data to strengthen its services for packaging producers and to encourage consumer participation in recycling.

The new partnership will build on work from both organisations in increasing recycling and recyclability of products throughout the packaging supply chain, including OPRL’s new packaging recycling app, set to be trialed as part of environmental charity Hubbub’s #LeedsByExample recycling initiative starting in Leeds this month, which will allow users to scan on-pack barcodes to check a product’s recyclability and to check where their closest recycling point is.

The new alliance also means that Valpak’s members will be able to access a fully-aligned service on the recyclability and labelling of their packaging within Valpak’s Data Management Portal, which allows customers to scrutinise their supply chains.

Commenting on the announcement, Jane Bevis, Chair of OPRL Ltd, said: “We are constantly looking for ways to add value to our membership and this new alliance with Valpak is the latest drive to achieve this. By ensuring that packaging reviews are underpinned by accurate data and analysis, our two organisations can give the best – and consistent – advice on improving recyclability across a member’s packaging range, and on engaging consumers in actually recycling.

“We’re very excited that our new consumer recycling app, to be launched shortly as part of the #LeedsByExample project led by the recycling charity Hubbub, will engage consumers – particularly millennials – in recycling on-the-go drinks packaging by giving accurate and location-specific recycling advice. Underpinning that with up-to-date bring site data will be vital to building consumer confidence, so we’re delighted Valpak are joining OPRL and working so closely with us. Together we’ll add more joint services over time."

Steve Gough, Chief Executive of Valpak, added: “We are delighted to be working closely with OPRL in order to support both the increased recyclability and recycling of packaging. Through this alliance, we will be able to offer our members a detailed assessment of the recyclability of their packaging, supporting them to identify those areas for targeted improvement and monitoring the changes made. Valpak is also pleased that it can support OPRL’s new recycling app initiative through the inclusion of our bring site location database, therefore contributing to boosting consumer engagement in recycling.”

The OPRL scheme, which was founded in 2009 by leading retailers and brands to engage consumers more actively in recycling, has three categories indicating a packaging item’s recyclability.

These categories are:

• Widely recycled – 75 per cent or more of UK local authorities collect that type of packaging;
• Check local recycling – between 20 and 75 per cent of UK local authorities collect that type of packaging; and
• Not currently recycled – fewer than 20 per cent of UK local authorities collect that type of packaging.

OPRL has made a string of announcements in the past 18 months, launching new online and member support services, including a label artwork library, a tool to help members identify the correct labels and a matrix tool to aid in building an accurate label. Stuart Lendrum was also appointed Executive Director back in April.

You can find more information on OPRL on the scheme’s website.