Fabrizio Di Gregorio - Plastics Recyclers Europe

Technical barriers to plastics recycling often begin at the packaging design stage. Fabrizio Di Gregorio from Plastics Recyclers Europe explains why design for recycling is essential for improving sorting, washing and the quality of recyclates. The conversation covers the most common design-related problems: multilayer and multimaterial flexible packaging, incompatible functional barriers, labels, decorations and other elements that may prevent proper sorting. Di Gregorio also points to progress in mechanical recycling, the growing importance of regulations on recycled content and food-contact applications, and the need for harmonised testing methods for recyclability across Europe. He also presents the RecyClass toolbox, including design for recycling guidelines, testing protocols, a free online recyclability assessment tool, certification schemes and the RecyClass Academy, which supports the industry in preparing for circularity requirements.