Design Guidelines
Please select a product from below:
- Transparent clear / light blue PET bottles
- Transparent coloured PET bottles
- Opaque not White PET bottles
- Opaque White PET bottles
- Reusable clear light blue PET bottles
Full compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols with no negative impact OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but are known to be acceptable in PET recycling |
Limited compatibility – materials that passed the testing protocols if certain conditions are met OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a low risk of interfering with PET recycling |
Low compatibility – materials that failed the testing protocols OR materials that have not been tested (yet), but pose a high risk of interfering with PET recycling |
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Material |
PET
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PLA; PVC; PS; PETG; PC, PBT(as a bottle material)
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White Opaque |
N/A
N/A
NA
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N/A
N/A
NA
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N/A
N/A
NA
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Size |
smaller than 4 cm (when compacted) or larger than 5 liters
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Colours |
all transparent colours; opaque colours without a layered structure
White opaque. (1) (2)
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. .
opaque in layered structure
Multilayer or bi- layer structure with white outer layer. Pastel colours. (1) (2)
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opaque; fluorescence; metallic
fluorescence; metallic
Fluorescent, metallic. Any other non-white outer layer
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Barrier |
SiOx coating; carbon plasma-coating; Nylon-MXD6 in a 3-layer structure with up to 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6 and no tie layers, PTN alloy
SiOx coating; carbon plasma-coating; Nylon-MXD6 in a 3-layer structure with up to 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6 and no tie layers; PTN alloy
SiOx plasma-coating
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carbon plasma-coating; Nylon-MXD6 in a 3-layer structure with up to 5 wt% Nylon-MXD6 and no tie layers; PGA multilayer ; PTN alloy
Nylon-MXD6 in a multilayer structure with up to 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6 and tie layers; EVOH multilayer with up to 3 wt% EVOH and no tie layers; monolayer Nylon-MXD6 blend; PGA multilayer
Nylon-MXD6 in a multilayer structure with up to 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6 and tie layers; EVOH multilayer with up to 3 wt% EVOH and no tie layers; monolayer Nylon-MXD6 blend; PGA multilayer
carbon plasma-coating; Nylon-MXD6 in a 3-layer structure with up to 5 wt% Nylon-MXD6 and no tie layers; PGA multilayer ; PTN alloy
UV stabilizers ; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
Nylon-MXD6 in a 3 layer structure, with > 5 wt% Nylon-MXD6 or with tie layers; Nylon-MXD6 in a 5 layer structure; monolayer Nylon-MXD6 blend; EVOH
Nylon-MXD6 in a multilayer structure with > 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6; EVOH multilayer with >3 wt% EVOH or with tie layers
Nylon-MXD6 in a multilayer structure with > 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6; EVOH multilayer with >3 wt% EVOH or with tie layers
Nylon-MXD6 in a 3 layer structure, with > 5 wt% Nylon-MXD6 or with tie layers; Nylon-MXD6 in a 5 layer structure; monolayer Nylon-MXD6 blend; EVOH
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites; |
Additives |
UV stabilizers ; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers UV stablilisers; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers UV stablilisers; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers UV stablilisers; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers UV stabilizers ; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites; bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites |
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Closure Systems |
PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. highly filled PE; metals); non-detaching or welded closures ) materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. highly filled PE; metals); non-detaching or welded closures ; tethered closures |
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Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
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foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
oamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
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materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC, silicone, metals);Floatable silicone (even with density <1g/cm3) materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC, silicone, metals); Floatable silicone (even with density <1g/cm3) materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC, silicone, metals);Floatable silicone (even with density <1g/cm3) |
Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³, paper
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materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
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Sleeves |
sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³ sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³ sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³ |
full sleeves translucent for IR
detection in PE; PP; OPP; EPS; foamed PET; LDPET; all with density <0.95 g/cm³ (INTERIM: Twin-perforated sleeves for household and personal care) full sleeves translucent for IR
detection in PE; PP; OPP; EPS; foamed PET; LDPET; all with density <0.95 g/cm³ (INTERIM: Twin-perforated sleeves for household and personal care) full sleeves translucent for IR
detection in PE; PP; OPP; EPS; foamed PET; LDPET; all with density <0.95 g/cm³ (INTERIM: Twin-perforated sleeves for household and personal care) full sleeves translucent for IR
detection in PE; PP; OPP; EPS; foamed PET; LDPET; all with density <0.95 g/cm³ (INTERIM: Twin-perforated sleeves for household and personal care) P:42>full sleeves translucent for IR
detection in PE; PP; OPP; EPS; foamed PET; LDPET; all with density <0.95 g/cm³ (INTERIM: Twin-perforated sleeves for household and personal care) |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily inked sleeves; full body sleeves; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily inked sleeves; full body sleeves; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily inked sleeves; full body sleeves; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily linked sleeves; full body sleeves foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
Tamper Evidence Wrap |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
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EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g PVC; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80oC without reactivation
alkali/water releasable at 60-80 C without reactivation
alkali/water releasable at 60-80 C without reactivation
alkali/water soluble and alkali/water releasable at 60-80 C without reactivation
alkali/water releasable at 60-80oC without reactivation
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alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
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Inks |
non-toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines non toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines non toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines non toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines non-toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks, washable inks inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks; washable inks inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks; washable inks inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks; washable inks inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks, washable inks |
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Direct Printing |
laser marked
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production or expiry date
P:53>production or expiry date
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any other direct printing
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Other Components |
base cup, handles or other components which are separated
by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; unpigmented PET base cup, handles or other
components which are separated by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; PET base cup, handles or other
components which are separated by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; PET base cup, handles or other
components which are separated by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; Unpigmented PET or with the same base colour as the bottle. base cup, handles or other components which are separated
by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; unpigmented PET |
materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. metal, RFID tags); non-detaching or welded components; coloured PET;
materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. metal, RFID tags); non-detaching or welded components
materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. metal, RFID tags); non-detaching or welded components; coloured PET;
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This work has been published by the European PET Bottle Platform with experts in the plastics packaging and recycling industry. The information contained in this document is for general guidance only. Any details given are intended as a general recommendation based on the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. It does not necessarily guarantee compliance with the different recycling schemes. This is by no means an exhaustive list. Users are therefore advised to make their own enquiries with EPBP, local recyclers or recycling organisations to check for specific and up-to-date information.
It is important to note that this is a living or dynamic document which will be continually edited, updated and expanded by our panel of experts as more information becomes available. This means that a certain product and/or material classification may change in future. Users are therefore advised to check the EPBP website for the latest information (www.petbottleplatform.eu).
We value your feedback because it will help us to develop this publication even more and to make it a useful tool for you and other actors in the PET value chain. We appreciate you taking the time to let us know what you think about EPBP’s Design for Recycling Guidelines, so please send your comments and/or additional information to: epbp@epbp.org.
We call upon all companies developing new resins, additives, technologies and novel processes for PET bottles to bring their products to the European PET Bottle Platform in order to get an objective third party assessment of their recyclability. Assessment is free, but any testing will be at the cost of the applicant. For more information about our assessments, please contact us on enquiry@epbp.org.