Polytag Teams Up with Biffa to Boost Recycling Tracking in the UK

Polytag Partners with Biffa to Expand its Packaging Detection Network

Image Credits: Biffa

Polytag, a UK-based RecTech (recycling technology) company, introduces its seventh packaging detection unit at the Biffa Edmonton Materials Recovery facility in North London, catering to the UK’s traceability program.

The new packaging unit is a major expansion for Polytag as it is covering its network across the United Kingdom and also helping to provide real-time packaging data for London-based household brands. The technology uses UV tags for tracking the materials during the recycling process and also provides barcode insights for tracking the packaging data.

Biffa Edmonton MRF is one of the largest facilities in the UK, which handles around 250,000 tons of annual waste from London and other neighbouring areas of the UK. The collaboration is a crucial step for Polytag’s commitment to installing 12 plastic detection units at MRFs across the United Kingdom. Additionally, it aims to cover more than 50% of the country’s household recycling stream through the Ecotrace program.

Alice Rackley, the CEO of Polytag, said, “As extended producer responsibility and simpler recycling regulations come into effect, businesses face a pressing need for accurate, real-time data about the lifecycle of recycled packaging materials.” He further added that “Developing our collaboration with Biffa comes at the perfect moment for us, granting access to barcode-level packaging data within the UK's most populated city for the first time.”

The business director of Biffa MRFs and PRFs, Craig Konczak, also expressed that the digital tracking tools can revolutionize recycling. He also believes that in the future, these tools will help in improving the material flow visibility in the UK. These technologies are also expected to provide a greater understanding of the recycling behavior and help in making essential changes in the UK’s recycling policy.