SOUTH AFRICA – Global specialty packaging pioneer, CCL has introduced its EcoFloat shrink sleeves, the first-ever approved shrink film material for the South African beverage market.
The launch follows a successful trial in the country by PET recycling specialist Extrupet and has been approved for the local recycling system.
CCL says that this marks the arrival of the first approved shrink sleeve decoration solution for the PET beverage market in South Africa and will help boost recycling rates in the future.
Marika Knorr, Head of Sustainability and Communication at CCL Label said: “EcoFloat sleeves are made from low-density polyolefin material making the difference in the crucial sink/float recycling step at the PET recyclers.
The sleeve material automatically detaches from the bottle and floats…this allows for a clean separation from the heavier PET flakes that sink to the bottom of the washing basin.
This easy separation forms the basis of the yield of high-quality PET flakes that can be used in bottle-to-bottle recycling, closing the loop.”
The launch comes after South Africa has undergone different legislation changes in the past years, to formulate new policies that embrace a circular economy.
This new legislation makes an “Extended Producer Responsibility” (EPR scheme) mandatory for all producers and importers of packaging.
It changes how producers, brand owners, retailers and importers design, make, sell and keep their products in the recycling loop as far as is practicably possible.
“In recent years we have seen big changes in the market. Brands are increasingly following Design for Recycling guidelines and are re-creating their packaging to meet the latest requirements. Labels can make a huge difference here, they are functional and support recyclability and re-usability,” says Reddy, Business Development Director of CCL in South Africa.
Meanwhile, CCL Label partnered with Coca-Cola to prove the feasibility of substituting the materials used for sleeves in the past with EcoFloat.
“We were proud that Coca-Cola as a first-mover partnered up with us for application and design trials to show that the new material works with the high standards that Coca-Cola is setting in design – all whilst being committed to an improved packaging sustainability,” the company notes.
The company has also been partnering with multinational brands to develop recyclable plastic packaging that allows for PET bottle-to-bottle recycling in a closed loop.
They have been endorsed by the European PET Bottle Platform (EPBP) as well as American Plastic Recyclers (APR) in the United States.
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