The possibilities and limits of labelling products with a recycling label are to be explored in a study, Euwid reports.

According to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the research project, which will run until the end of 2024, takes up demands from the recycling industry and the mandate for the introduction of a recycling label from the coalition agreement of the ruling coalition government. The new recycling label is intended to make a contribution to the circular economy, according to the UBA. According to the agency's findings so far, all recycling-related labels currently used in Germany are voluntary. With the exception of the Blue Angel eco-label and its European counterpart, the EU Eco-label, they were not widely used. The task of the current UBA research project is said to develop concrete, practically implementable concepts for recycling labelling in general and for various specific product groups. The result should be a scientifically sound analysis and evaluation of which product groups and, if applicable, for which substances/materials labelling of recyclability and recyclate content seems sensible and can be implemented in Germany in the short to medium term. In addition, it will be investigated whether these labels can make an effective contribution to strengthening the circular economy.
 
Sources:

• Euwid Recycling und Entsorgung 35/2023 (August 29, 2023)
• Photo: Symbolic image, © Fotolia / M. Schuppich