PPWR, Recycling, Design for Recycling, Product Innovation

Innovative Product Solutions for High Recyclability

05/26/2026 | 3 min read

The requirements for sustainable packaging solutions are increasing significantly: with the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the EU is setting clear standards for recyclability, resource efficiency, and the circular economy. At the same time, the recently published CEN Guidelines provide greater transparency and guidance for assessing recycling-compatible packaging. Against this backdrop, innovative product solutions and recycling-oriented packaging design are becoming increasingly important in supporting companies as they further develop sustainable packaging concepts.

K3^® r100: the self-separating cardboard–plastic combination

One example of this approach is the K3^® r100 cup, a plastic cup wrapped with a cardboard wrap. During the waste-management process, the two components automatically separate from one another before they reach the sorting facility. This self-separation ensures that both components are assessed individually in recyclability evaluations and that they end up in the correct material streams.

This product development demonstrates how design optimizations can be directly linked to the PPWR goals of recyclability and separable material streams.

Cups with PO Sleeves: targeted sorting

With the right design measures, sleeve packaging can be made highly recyclable. Successful detection and sorting depend largely on the characteristics of the sleeve and on the material combination of plastic cup and sleeve. The combination of a PP cup and a PO sleeve ensures that the cup can be sorted into the PP stream. When the plastic cup beneath the sleeve is white or transparent, it becomes highly recyclable and can result in high-quality recycled material.
At the same time, the design offers extensive options for surface finishes and brand communication without compromising recyclability.

Sealable lids: a concept without foreign materials

Another component in recyclable packaging systems is the sealable lid, which forms an ideal pairing with a cup, tub, or bucket.

Compared to conventional packaging solutions, often consisting of a snap-on lid combined with an aluminum sealing foil, sealable lids eliminate the need for the aluminum component altogether. This leaves only the container and the sealable lid, both made from the same material.

Through this deliberate material uniformity, all components can be clearly assigned to the correct material streams, significantly improving the efficiency of sorting and recycling processes. As a result, the recyclability of the entire packaging unit increases substantially, as no mixed materials hinder recovery.

Separable in-mold labels for pure recyclate

An innovation in the in-mold label (IML) segment combines the advantages of in-mold labeling technology with improved recyclability. The label is designed to separate from the cup body at a specific point in the recycling process, for example during shredding or washing. This allows the cup and the decoration to be separated by material type and fed into the appropriate recycling streams.

Separable IML solutions therefore support mono-material recycling and contribute to higher-quality recyclates. Greiner Packaging offers IML solutions with these labels, which are certified by RecyClass.

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