A new report, researched and drafted by Eunomia Research and Consulting, commissioned by Amcor, PepsiCo, TOMRA, explores how marker and object recognition sorting technology can contribute to circularity and traceability in plastic packaging recycling in Europe.

The report, entitled Advanced Sorting for Circularity, finds that for many plastic packaging formats, further optimisation of existing sorting technologies is likely to be sufficient for improved circularity. For the remaining sorting challenges, object recognition could be the most cost-effective advanced sorting technology to facilitate increased circularity, including when compared to marker technology.

This new report explores how marker and object recognition sorting technologies can contribute to circularity and traceability in plastic packaging recycling, specifically within the EU, Norway, Switzerland, and the UK.

The report’s methodology involves identifying polymers and packaging material formats not adequately sorted by existing technologies for achieving circularity. It then evaluates new technologies (i.e., advanced sorting technologies) that could enable classification and sorting of these post-consumer plastic packaging types. A range of new sensor- and marker-based sorting technologies are also examined. Three are shortlisted for detailed cost and performance modelling: object recognition, chemical markers, and digital watermarks. 

The report concludes that it seems likely that there will be continued adoption of object recognition technologies, and these may offer a more cost-effective solution for circularity. Both the plastics industry and policy developers should consider whether using marker technologies as a mass market solution offers sufficient additional benefits to warrant both the additional cost and the complex implementation process.