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300Module 2 of 7

On-Pack Recycling Labels

How2Recycle and OPRL rules, including How2Recycle Pro rollout. Planning label space and eligibility.

6 minutes
labels
Next: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
Lesson Video
On-Pack Recycling Labels
Module Content

1) Executive Summary

Most important insights
  1. How2Recycle categories & thresholds. “Widely Recyclable” ≈ US ≥60% / CA ≥50% access; “Check Locally” below; “Store Drop-off” US-only for PE film; “Not Yet Recyclable” for disposal.
  2. How2Recycle Pro/“Plus”. Dynamic QR to Recycle Check for ZIP-code acceptance using 9,000+ programs; active rollout across 2024–2025.
  3. OPRL = UK standard. Minimum type ≥6 pt; standard calls to action (Cap/Lid On <40 mm; Rinse; Remove Sleeve); colours and sizes defined in tool.
  4. Regulatory pressure. CA SB 343 tightens recyclable claims; EU PPWR (2025/40) introduces harmonised EU labels via 2026 implementing acts.
  5. Eligibility depends on design. APR/CEFLEX criteria drive whether “Recycle/Widely Recyclable” is permitted.
  6. Canada & bilingual. H2R supports Canada with program differences (no Store Drop-off in CA) and bilingual execution.
  7. Artwork practicality. H2R minimum label body sizes; OPRL ≥6 pt; QR minimums apply for Pro.
Actions for designers
  • Reserve a recycling-label pane across SKUs (OPRL ≥6 pt; H2R body-size minima; QR safe area for Pro).
  • Validate structures with APR/CEFLEX before artwork; request labels afterward.
  • Plan regional variants (H2R US/CA vs OPRL UK vs EU PPWR/FR Triman); avoid US Store Drop-off on CA/EU/UK packs.
Key risks (12–24 months)
  • EU PPWR implementing acts by Aug 2026 may force EU artwork updates.
  • CA SB 343 enforcement tightening; multi-state divergence risk.
  • QR print quality (quiet zones, X-dimension) affecting scan rates.

2) Definitions & Concepts

Glossary
  • How2Recycle (H2R): NA standardized label with component instructions and category thresholds.
  • H2R Pro/“Plus”: Optional dynamic QR linking to Recycle Check for local acceptance.
  • OPRL: UK scheme with fixed artwork standards and calls to action; ≥6 pt minimum type.
  • APR Design® Guide / CEFLEX D4ACE: Design criteria for recyclability (US plastics / EU flexibles).
  • PPWR (EU 2025/40): EU packaging regulation introducing harmonised labels via implementing acts (by Aug 2026).
  • Triman + Info-Tri: France sorting marks with size/proximity rules; digital allowances for small packs.
Concept map
  • Regulatory: FTC Green Guides ↔ CA SB 343 ↔ PPWR ↔ FR Triman.
  • Programs: How2Recycle (US/CA) ↔ OPRL (UK).
  • Design evidence: APR (US) ↔ CEFLEX (EU).
  • Dynamic: Recycle Check underpins H2R Pro/Plus.

3) Standards, Regulations, and Governance

United States & Canada
  • H2R: component labels; US ≥60% / CA ≥50% for Widely Recyclable; Check Locally below; Store Drop-off US-only.
  • H2R Pro/Plus: QR to Recycle Check for local acceptance.
  • FTC Green Guides (under review) govern truthful environmental claims; CA SB 343 restricts recyclable claims and chasing-arrows.
United Kingdom (OPRL + EPR)
  • OPRL labels: Recycle / Do Not Recycle / Check Home Collections; calls to action incl. Cap/Lid On <40 mm; ≥6 pt type; colours/sizes in tool.
  • UK EPR/RAM evolving; OPRL tools (RAT/PREP) underpin label decisions.
European Union (context)
  • PPWR (2025/40) in force; harmonised consumer labels via implementing acts by Aug 2026; likely allowance for digital carriers (QR).
  • France: Triman + Info-Tri mandatory; small-pack digital options.
Regional differences (quick compare)
TopicUSCanadaUKEU
SchemeHow2RecycleHow2RecycleOPRLPPWR (coming); FR Triman
Store Drop-offYes (PE film)NoN/AN/A
“Widely Recyclable” thresholdUS ≥60% accessCA ≥50% accessOPRL rules (collected & reprocessed at scale)Harmonisation via PPWR acts
Dynamic QRH2R Pro/Plus (Recycle Check)H2R Pro/PlusAllowed alongside labels; follow GS1 sizingPPWR foresees digital carriers
Size rulesH2R Guidelines; measure main label body; QR minimaSame≥6 pt min; sizes/colours in toolNational until PPWR acts apply

4) Evidence Base & Benchmarks

  • H2R: Label Explorer; Guidelines for Use (Abbreviated) specify minimum label body sizing and colours.
  • OPRL: How to use labels (≥6 pt; calls to action; multi-component layouts).
  • Dynamic labels: H2R Pro/Plus QR with Recycle Check; validate GS1 quiet zones and X-dimension.
Benchmarks (cheat-sheet)
  • H2R thresholds: US ≥60% / CA ≥50% access → Widely Recyclable; otherwise Check Locally; Store Drop-off US-only.
  • OPRL type: ≥6 pt; follow colour specs and icon rules from tool outputs.
  • GS1 QR: quiet zone ≥4× X-dim; typical X-dim 0.396–0.990 mm.

5) Design & Production Implications

Rules of thumb
  • Label each major component (2–3 components for clarity); use official artwork.
  • Caps/lids <40 mm (UK): instruct Cap/Lid On; handle aerosols per OPRL.
  • Sleeves >60%: make removable/perforated; add Remove Sleeve; avoid carbon black/metallised areas that impair NIR.
  • QR (H2R Pro/Plus): reserve square area; protect quiet zones; test across substrates/varnishes.
Manufacturability flags
  • Curved/textured panels can reduce scan reliability—upsize modules or relocate QR.
  • Maintain high contrast for small type/icons; avoid low-contrast tints on kraft.
  • Never place US Store Drop-off marks on CA/EU/UK-only packs.
Supplier perspective

Provide OPRL tool outputs (unaltered) and H2R-assigned artwork; confirm H2R minimum body size and OPRL ≥6 pt in proofs.

6) Sustainability & Compliance

  • Maintain substantiation files for recyclable claims (collection/sortation/reprocessing evidence). CA SB 343 requires this in CA; FTC Green Guides require truthfulness and qualifications.
  • UK EPR fees depend on recyclability outcomes; document APR/CEFLEX-aligned choices supporting “Recycle”.
  • Plan EU lanes anticipating PPWR labels; avoid mixing regional claims on single-SKU EU/UK/CA packs.

7) Workflow & Tooling

Checklists
  • Pre-press: use official OPRL/H2R assets; OPRL ≥6 pt; H2R minimum label body; QR quiet zone ≥4× X-dim; scan tests recorded.
  • Compliance: APR/CEFLEX review; market fit (US vs CA vs UK vs EU); CA SB 343 audit for California SKUs.
Decision trees
  • Program by market: US/CA → H2R; UK → OPRL; EU → PPWR/Triman lane.
  • H2R category: US ≥60% / CA ≥50% → Widely Recyclable; else Check Locally; PE film (US) → Store Drop-off; else NYR.
  • OPRL multi-component: caps <40 mm → Cap/Lid On; sleeves >60% → Remove Sleeve.
Calculator blueprints
  • QR estimator: quiet zone ≥4× X-dim; smartphone symbol size ≈ viewing distance/10; X-dim 0.396–0.990 mm typical.
  • Label pane sizing: OPRL ≥6 pt; H2R measure main label body; include safe area and room for 2–3 component lines.

8) Category-Specific Guidance

Beauty/Personal Care

Pumps/dispensers: label pump separately (often do-not-recycle); bottle may be recycle. Sleeves >60% perforated + Remove Sleeve.

Food

Composite canisters (steel bases) moved to Check Locally in H2R (Jan 2025); revisit legacy NYR SKUs.

Beverage

Caps <40 mm: Cap/Lid On; cartons: Flatten | Cap On; glass bottles: component labels for bottle vs crown caps.

9) Case Studies

Danone Silk (US): early H2R Pro/Plus adopter

Approach: QR to Recycle Check for local acceptance; noted by trade press in 2024.

Result: Clearer consumer guidance; reduced wishcycling.

UK caps & aerosols

Approach: OPRL mandates Cap/Lid On <40 mm; aerosol exceptions clarified.

Result: Higher closure capture; simpler consumer actions.

Composite canisters upgrade (US)

Approach: H2R Jan 2025 Guidelines moved to Check Locally; artwork refresh justified.

Result: Better eligibility; track returns/complaints.

10) Common Pitfalls & Red Flags

  1. Using US Store Drop-off on Canada/EU/UK packs.
  2. Shrinking OPRL below 6 pt or redrawing icons.
  3. Chasing-arrows on non-recyclables in California; RIC inside arrows without criteria.
  4. Ignoring component-level labels (no multi-component guidance).
  5. QRs with insufficient quiet zones or poor contrast (don’t scan).
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