WAITROSE & Partners is the latest retailer to join Polytag’s Ecotrace Programme, an industry-led initiative aimed at transforming the tracking and recycling of single-use plastic packaging in the UK.
As an Ecotrace member, Waitrose will gain access to the Polytag dashboard – an online hub which displays live barcode-level lifecycle data on packaging materials as they enter the recycling stream.
The Ecotrace Programme was launched last year. With its partners, Polytag is deploying its invisible UV Tag detection technology in 12 Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs), in order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of plastic recycling.
The programme involves installing Polytag Plastic Detection Units. These units, which are retrofitted to conveyors, detect packaging that has been ‘marked’ with Polytag’s invisible UV Tags. Thanks to this, brands are able to accurately identify how much of their packaging has been recycled post-consumption.
As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation comes into force, retailers and brands will need to take responsibility for the recycling of their packaging materials.
Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, said, “Waitrose joins us at a pivotal moment as we approach our goal of installing PDUs at 12 sites within the first year of our Ecotrace Programme. This is an incredible achievement that will empower FMCG brands, retailers and waste management companies by providing invaluable access to granular barcode-level data on 50% of the UK’s waste recycling stream.
“This wouldn’t be possible without the support of partners like Waitrose, who share our vision for transforming the way plastic waste is tracked and recycled. Their participation marks a major milestone for us, and we’re incredibly proud to be working together to drive meaningful change in recycling rates and bring the industry together to revolutionise data capture and how we interact with single-use plastic.”
Denise Mathieson, head of packaging design & delivery at Waitrose, added, “At Waitrose, we are committed to reducing our impact on the environment and finding innovative solutions to improve the recyclability of our packaging. Joining Polytag’s Ecotrace Programme is a significant step forward in enhancing our ability to track and understand the journey of our plastic packaging post-consumption.
“By leveraging Polytag’s technology, we will gain unprecedented insights into how our packaging is recycled, allowing us to make more informed decisions that support a circular economy. This initiative aligns with our ongoing sustainability efforts and reinforces our dedication to reducing single-use plastic waste.”
