A big tick of approval for the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL), which has been positively evaluated in a global assessment of recycling and sustainability labelling on plastic packaging. 

The recent report by the UN Environment Programme and Consumers International delivered a global assessment of current standards, labels and claims on plastic packaging (specifically FMCG and Food and Beverage products). The report assessed various labels around the world on how they communicate the materials used in a piece of packaging, as well as its recyclability and disposal information.

The ARL was commended for its clarity, reliability and accessibility. It was also singled out as one of the few programs around the world that is delivering considered, informative and useful information that could effectively increase and improve responsible consumer behaviour.

For all these reasons, the report authors made a point of highlighting the label as an example of best practice. This is a great milestone for the ARL, proving the robustness of the program and the role it can play in reducing contamination for recyclers through education.

The evidence-based labelling system reflects how a piece of packaging will behave in the recycling ecosystem as well as considering what the majority of the population can recycle through their council. This means theARL has the potential to promote innovation to design for recyclability, as well as reduce contamination in our streams by clearly labelling a product as not recyclable when that’s the case.

The Australasian Recycling Label is delivered in a partnership between the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation, Planet Ark and PREP Design.

To read the full report visit: https://consumersinternational.org/media/352255/canirecyclethis-finalreport.pdf