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★Mark us as a preferred sourceUK supermarket Aldi and the nation’s largest dairy cooperative, Arla, are partnering with the recycling platform Polytag for an operational pilot. Using innovative UV-tagging technology, the initiative aims to track milk bottle packaging through the recycling process to gain real-time, comprehensive insights into the product lifecycle.
Next Phase of the 2023 Collaboration: smart packaging milk bottles
Building on their initial 2023 collaboration, Aldi and Arla are now focused on improving packaging traceability within the waste processing system. The project involves applying UV-tagged wrap-around labels to Arla’s milk bottle range, manufactured at its Oakthorpe site. Printed by Saica Flex, the labels utilize a specially developed fluorescent ink supplied by Sun Chemical.
These tags enable the real-time tracking of packaging as it navigates the recycling stream. Luke Emery, Plastics and Packaging Director at Aldi UK, stated that this next phase with Polytag represents an exciting step forward in how data is used to drive their sustainability strategy. Helena Delgado Nordmann, Head of Sustainability at Arla Foods UK, emphasized that the insights gained will inform future packaging development decisions and support ongoing efforts to improve packaging circularity.
How Does the Innovative UV Technology Work?
The technical solution relies on invisible UV tags printed directly onto the packaging labels using a food-safe fluorescent ink. Stefaan D’hoore, Director of Business Development at Sun Chemical, confirmed that the proprietary ink yielded strong results when tested against Recyclass’ Washing Quick Test Procedures and the EPBP Quicktest QT 507.
The ink is applied via standard printing methods, offering a low-cost, easily integrated solution. As the tagged packaging enters the recycling stream, Polytag’s Plastic Detection Units—installed at Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs)—capture barcode-level data in real-time. Brands and retailers can monitor these detailed metrics seamlessly via the Polytag dashboard.
Industry Leadership and a 100% Detection Milestone
Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, noted that this project alongside Saica Flex demonstrates the scalability and reliability of the UV-tagging solution. Polytag recently achieved a 100% detection rate in collaboration with the global packaging compliance leader Citeo at one of the busiest MRFs in France.
Additionally, Polytag published a white paper titled ‘EPR That Works: Incentivising Real Recycling with Data and Innovation’. The paper was supported by major UK retailers including Waitrose, M&S, and Ocado Retail, alongside compliance agencies Ecosurety and Valpak, advocating for verified data to effectively shape the future of the circular economy.
Source Attributions:
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Original Source: https://retailtimes.co.uk/aldi-and-arla-introduce-smart-packaging-to-milk-bottles-to-tack-recycling-using-polytags-uv-tags/
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Government / Official context (UK DEFRA): https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-environment-food-rural-affairs
