Chain of Custody, among others, guarantees the traceability and origins of waste. This in turn implies that the certification must be paired with a scheme that verifies that in a transparent manner. EuCertPlast is an example of such a scheme, where not only the source of waste but also the recycling process in its entirety is assessed.

Creating truly circular plastic packaging relies heavily of the uptake of recyclates in new products, but also on the trust and ability to verify the source and quality of the same. Ensuring all base is covered and no detail is overlooked is crucial for creating a Europe-wide reference certification scheme. RecyClass strives towards bringing clarity to the market, not only for the value-chain players but also for the end-consumers.

The Lumina Pallateer Model PM-1C comes standard with a 350-ton press capable of molding pallets up to 48 x 52 inches in size and weighing up to 40 pounds. Its HDPE melting capacity of 1200 pounds per hour is sufficient to produce 30 pallets per hour. Hot runner molds, robots, and other accessories are available from Wilmington.

A new low-pressure plastic-pallet injection molding machine from Wilmington Machinery accepts 100% recycled plastics even in flake form. That enables the production of low-cost plastic pallets, noted the company.

Sustainability claims have taken the world by storm, as the consumers look for products with lower environmental impact. Meanwhile companies strive to transition from linear towards a circular economy, prompting the need for reliable certification and labelling of such environmental claims. This is especially true for plastic products, given the efforts to improve their waste management.

The PM-1C boasts a small footprint, low energy consumption, and high-quality construction. It has a two-stage injection unit — extruder/accumulator — furnished with bimetallic barrels and long-life feed screws. The hybrid machine is controlled by a Beckhoff PLC and actuated by Rexroth hydraulic components. A classic structural foam multi-nozzle injection manifold is an available option.

In addition to the already mentioned advantages, this certification scheme allows adequate determination of the share of post- and pre-consumer streams, via percentage-based recycled content calculation.

The creation of the RecyClass Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification was possible thanks to the expertise and collaboration of the RecyClass members who cover a broad spectrum of plastics industry players.

RecyClass Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification supports a harmonised, factual approach to recycled content calculation, which is indispensable to comply with the EU legislation. Moreover, RecyClass will continue to support the industry’s transition efforts towards making plastics packaging circular.

The new Lumina Palleteer PM-1C joins the Wilmington lineup of horizontal and vertical machines with press capacities to 2500 tons, injection capacities to 300 pounds, and melting capacities to 6,600 pounds per hour.

RecyClass is a comprehensive cross-industry initiative that works to advance plastic packaging recyclability and to establish a harmonised approach towards recycled content calculation in Europe. RecyClass launched certifications for recyclability, and more recently a certification which recognises transparent and actual use of recycled plastics in finished or semi-finished products.

Until she retired in September 2021, Clare Goldsberry reported on the plastics industry for more than 30 years. In addition to the 10,000+ articles she has written, by her own estimation, she is the author of several books, including The Business of Injection Molding: How to succeed as a custom molder and Purchasing Injection Molds: A buyers guide. Goldsberry is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. She reflected on her long career in "Time to Say Good-Bye."

The know-how and co-operation of the entire value chain are what sets RecyClass apart. With this and its in-built independent audit system, RecyClass has all the necessary prerequisites to serve as a robust assessment model.

The compact pallet injection molding machine features low energy consumption and high-quality construction. Image courtesy Wilmington Machinery.

The Lumina Pallateer Model PM-1C from Wilmington Machinery accepts 100% recycled plastics even in flake form, enabling the production of low-cost plastic pallets.

RecyClass Recycled Plastics Traceability Certification guarantees the verifiability and traceability of the material along the whole value chain, up to the consumers. In practice, it attests the origins, sourcing, recycling processes and incorporation of the material in the final product. Within such a system the ownership and the certification are passed from one actor of the value chain to another. This practice is ensured via the Chain of Custody as well as the Recycled Plastics standards, on which the certification is based.

In addition to consumer pressure, the European market is faced with regulatory requirements, calling for a structured, consistent, and verifiable approach to eliminate greenwashing.

Transparency, traceability, and trust are the key in building reliable recyclability and recycled content claims. These are also the three principles – known as the 3 T’s of RecyClass – around which the RecyClass certification schemes have been developed.

To further strengthen the credibility of its work, RecyClass launched a public consultation on the draft guidance on the use of recyclability and recycled content claims. Following the completion of the consultation period, a dedicated task force will incorporate the feedback into a final guidance. The release of the guidance and the results of the consultation will also be publicly discussed during a RecyClass Unwrapped webinar on 31 March 31.

Believed to be the lowest cost US-made machine of its type, the PM-1C is priced to compete with Asian-built injection machines of comparable capacity. It more than competes with such machines from a pallet-cost standpoint and produces an excellent ROI for both contract and captive molders, said Wilmington’s information.

The certification is destined for any company which plays a part in the value chain and holds custody of the recycled plastics including but not limited to compounders, converters, blow moulders and brand owners. With this, RecyClass aims to accelerate the establishment of a strong market for recycled plastics.