Polytag, a leader in connected packaging and recycling technology, has announced a groundbreaking development for the UK’s packaging and recycling industry. Marks & Spencer (M&S) is now the first retailer to implement invisible UV tags on its best-selling four-pint milk products, which are available in stores across the nation.

Source: WhatTheyThink

A World First to Enhance UK Recycling Rates

Invisible to consumers, Polytag’s UV tags are printed on the labels of M&S four-pint milk bottles. Once these bottles are recycled by households, they will be processed at recycling facilities where they will be scanned by Polytag’s Plastic Detection Units, enabling the retailer to access live recycling data.

By tagging products with these invisible UV tags, M&S will gain real-time, barcode-level insights into when, where, and how much of its single-use plastic packaging is recycled. This data aims to help accurately track sustainability targets, enhance the precision of recycling claims, and ensure compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations—potentially leading to reduced costs through more accurate reporting.

Retailers and brands can no longer afford to lose sight of packaging the moment it leaves their supply chain. With EPR now in effect, we’re entering a new era where real data is not just helpful, it’s essential.

^{Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag} 

A Milestone for the UK Recycling Industry

In the past year, Polytag has collaborated with major recycling companies such as Biffa and Re-Gen to install UV Plastic Detection Units at the UK’s highest-volume recycling facilities. This initiative encompasses up to 50% of the UK through investments in the Ecotrace Programme, including a significant £100,000 contribution from M&S. By improving the traceability of packaging nationwide, Polytag is fostering closed-loop recycling systems for single-use plastic, with the goal of increasing the volume of high-quality recycled plastic in the UK.