How should a composite packaging consisting mainly of paper, with compostable polymers (eg PLA) be labeled?

A composite packaging, consisting mainly of paper, with compostable plastic has the coding provided for compounds predominantly paper with plastic, i.e. C / PAP81.

1. In these cases:

• compostable packaging according to UNI EN 13432, intended for food products, and subject to consistent food residues, or
• compostable packaging according to UNI EN 13432 with a percentage of the cellulosic fraction less than 60% of the total weight of the pack

the packaging can be disposed of in the separate collection for organic waste if:

a) certified compliant, by accredited bodies, with the European standard EN 13432 for packaging recoverable by composting or biodegradation;

b) is appropriately labeled and shows , in addition to the mention of compliance with the aforementioned European standards, identification elements of the producer and the certifier, as well as suitable instructions for consumers to transfer such waste to the separate collection and recycling of organic waste circuit .

2. In case of: Non-compostable packaging according to UNI EN 13432:

information on the end of life of the packaging follows this scheme:

• paper-based composite packaging (and / or with components of different materials that cannot be separated manually) with a percentage of the cellulose fraction between 60 and 95% of the total weight of the pack. separate collection for paper packaging ;
• paper-based composite packaging (and / or with components of different materials that cannot be separated manually) with a percentage of the cellulose fraction less than 60% of the total weight of the pack. undifferentiated collection .

In fact, it should be noted that the packaging thus constituted, which to date are not recyclable, if transferred to separate collection and managed in the recycling flow of paper packaging, would significantly affect the generation of waste in the recycling process, even implying a greater impact environmental and increased management difficulties, also to the detriment of the overall quality of the secondary raw material generated by the recycling process.

Last modified on 19/11/2021