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Design Guidelines for PET bottles in contact with food and non-food products
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
- PET closures
|
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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | |||
| White Opaque |
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| Size | |||
| Colours |
. .
|
||
| Barrier | |||
| Additives |
UV stabilizers ; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites; organosilicon compounds |
|
| Closure Systems |
PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ |
||
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
|
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds, silicone, metals);Floatable silicone (even with density <1g/cm3) |
| Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
|
| Sleeves |
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) |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily inked 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
|
EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80oC
|
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
|
|
| Inks |
non-toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks, washable inks |
|
| Direct Printing | |||
| Other Components |
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;
|
|
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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | |||
| White Opaque |
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
| Size | |||
| Colours |
opaque; fluorescence; metallic
|
||
| Barrier |
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 > 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6; EVOH multilayer with >3 wt% EVOH or with tie layers
|
|
| Additives |
UV stablilisers; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites, organosilicon compounds |
|
| Closure Systems |
PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ |
||
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
|
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
|
|
| Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
|
| Sleeves |
sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm |
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 and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
| Tamper Evidence Wrap |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
|
| Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80 C
|
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
|
|
| Inks |
non toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks; washable inks |
|
| Direct Printing | |||
| Other Components |
base cup, handles or other
components which are separated by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; PET |
|
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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | |||
| White Opaque | |||
| Size | |||
| Colours |
all transparent colours; opaque colours without a layered structure
|
opaque in layered structure
|
fluorescence; metallic
|
| Barrier |
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 > 6 wt% Nylon-MXD6; EVOH multilayer with >3 wt% EVOH or with tie layers
|
|
| Additives |
UV stablilisers; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites, organosilicon compounds |
|
| Closure Systems |
PE; PP; together
all with density <1 g/cm³ |
||
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
|
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
|
|
| Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
|
| Sleeves |
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) |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily inked 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
|
EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80 C
|
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
|
|
| Inks |
non toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks; washable inks |
|
| Direct Printing | |||
| Other Components |
base cup, handles or other
components which are separated by grinding and float/sink - all with density <1 g/cm³; PET |
|
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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material |
PET
|
||
| White Opaque | |||
| Size |
smaller than 4 cm (when compacted) or larger than 5 liters
|
||
| Colours |
White opaque. (1) (2)
|
Multilayer or bi- layer structure with white outer layer. Pastel colours. (1) (2)
|
Fluorescent, metallic. Any other non-white outer layer
|
| Barrier |
SiOx plasma-coating
|
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
|
|
| Additives |
UV stablilisers; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites, organosilicon compounds |
|
| Closure Systems |
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 ) |
|
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
|
foamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
|
|
| Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVCand other halogenated compounds ; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
|
| Sleeves |
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) |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; heavily inked 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
|
EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g metal; PVCand other halogenated compounds ; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80oC
|
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
|
|
| Inks |
non toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks; washable inks |
|
| Direct Printing |
laser marked
|
production or expiry date
|
any other direct printing
|
| Other Components |
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. |
materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. metal, RFID tags); non-detaching or welded components
|
|
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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | |||
| White Opaque |
NA
|
NA
|
NA
|
| Size | |||
| Colours | |||
| Barrier |
UV stabilizers ; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
bio-/oxo-/photodegradable
additives; nanocomposites; |
|
| Additives |
UV stabilizers ; AA blockers;
optical brighteners; oxygen scavengers |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. highly filled PE; metals); non-detaching or welded closures ,organosilicon compounds |
|
| Closure Systems |
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 ; tethered closures |
|
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
PE; PE+EVA; PP; TPO; all with density <1g/cm³; TPS all with density <0.95g/cm3
|
oamed PET with density <0.95g/cm3
|
|
| Labels |
PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³, paper
|
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g. PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG; PLA); metallised materials; non-detaching or welded labels; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³);PET with washable inks |
|
| Sleeves |
sleeves with partial bottle
coverage in PE; PP; OPP; all with density <1 g/cm³ |
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 metal; PVC and other halogenated compounds; 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
|
EPS; foamed PET; LDPET;
all with density <0.95 g/cm³ |
materials with density >1 g/cm³
(e.g PVC and other halogenated compounds; PS; PET; PETG); metallised materials; foamed PETG (even with density <1 g/cm³); PET with washable inks |
| Adhesives |
alkali/water releasable at 60-80oC
|
alkali/water soluble, non-releasable or releasable above 80oC
|
|
| Inks |
non-toxic;
follow EUPIA Guidelines |
inks that bleed;
toxic or hazardous inks; metallic inks, washable inks |
|
| Direct Printing |
P:53>production or expiry date
|
||
| Other Components |
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;
|
|
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 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Material |
PETG; non-crystallizing and/or highly modified polyesters
|
||
| White Opaque | |||
| Size | |||
| Colours |
Transparent clear; transparent light blue
|
Other transparent colours; opaque; fluorescence; metallic
|
|
| Barrier |
Not foreseen
|
Not Foreseen
|
Not foreseen
|
| Additives |
None
|
Bio-/oxo-/photodegradable additives; nanocomposites; additives for laser printing activation, organosilicon compounds
|
|
| Closure Systems | |||
| Liners, Seals and Valves |
Not adhered to the closure.
Polyolefin based with density <1g/cm³ |
Adhered to the closure
Materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. PVC, silicone, metals); floatable silicone (even with density <1g/cm3) |
|
| Labels | |||
| Sleeves | |||
| Tamper Evidence Wrap | |||
| Adhesives | |||
| Inks | |||
| Direct Printing |
Laser marking
|
Inkjeting of production and/or expiry date
|
Any other direct printing
|
| Other Components |
Materials with density >1 g/cm³ (e.g. metal, RFID tags); non-detaching or welded components; coloured PET
|
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 Design Guidelinew are living or dynamic documents 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 or Design Guidelines page for the most updated information.
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.
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