Recycling technology company Polytag gears up to provide traceability of 146,000 tonnes of waste in Wales

Polytag reports the integration of four plastic detection units at material recycling facilities (MRFs) in Wales.

The new sites in Conwy, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire, and Anglesey are pitched as a significant step in Polytag's Ecotrace Programme, an industry led initiative providing brands, retailers, and waste management businesses with real-time data on the recycling of single-use plastic.

They have joined Re-Gen’s MRF in Newry (Northern Ireland) and Biffa facilities in Edmonton and Teesside in the programme. Using Polytag's technology brands will gain data visibility on the 146,000 tonnes of waste that enters the recycling and recovery stream across the four Welsh sites each year.

Polytag's PDUs scan packaging for invisible UV tags embedded in label artwork. This enables brands to track exactly when and where their plastic packaging is recycled, closing the data gap in the recycling process. The newly installed units, delivered in partnership with Welsh company, EBS, scan and collect barcode level data on individual products as they enter the recycling stream.

Aligning with Wales’s broader strategy to achieve net zero by 2030, this project was made possible through a £100,000 grant from the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) Centre for Excellence, funded by the Welsh government.

Alice Rackley, CEO at Polytag, says: “Wales is already a leader in recycling, currently holding the UK’s highest average recycling rate at a very impressive 66.5%. Installing these four new Plastic Detection Units across the country takes this success even further. It will generate invaluable data on what is being recycled and when, empowering brands to take full responsibility for their recycled packaging while also striving to increase that number even more."

“As a Welsh owned business, it’s especially rewarding to see our technology embraced with open arms and to have the opportunity to build on its stellar credentials. We’re excited to see the results it yields in what we are confident will be a remarkable move towards a fully circular economy.”

Kate Williams, Innovation Programme Manager at SBRI Centre of Excellence, says: "This initiative, made possible by the Circular Economy in the Public Sector SBRI Challenge, is a valuable step in improving recycling data in Wales.”

“Installing advanced tracking technology to promote a circular economy approach within our recycling streams is essential. We're excited to witness the positive impact our collaboration with Polytag will have on collective sustainability targets and the potential it creates for improving recycling rates across the region.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.