Polytag packaging detection tech installed at Biffa Edmonton Materials Recovery Facility in North London
Polytag, a specialist in tagging and tracing packaging to point of recycling, has announced developments with longstanding partner Biffa, which operates in the sustainable waste management space.
The collaboration extends coverage of Polytag’s network in the UK, laying groundwork for real-time packaging traceability in London for household brands.
The firm’s network of Plastic Detection Units situated in recycling centres across the UK provides insights - at barcode level - on the journey of packaging through to recycling, designed to unlock data to drive greater efficiency and sustainability-focused decision-making in the supply chain.
Its packaging detection technology is now installed at Biffa’s Edmonton Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in North London. This latest installation - part of Polytag’s Ecotrace Programme - enables brands to view and evaluate data capture of their fluorescent UV tagged packaging across an even greater share of UK recycled material as it enters Biffa’s London facility.
Biffa’s Edmonton MRF, one of the UK’s largest, handles 250,000 tonnes of waste annually, originating from household recycling collections primarily in London and surrounding counties. Polytag's technology used at this facility is pitched as a significant step towards understanding and optimising the use of data capture in recycling and supports its brand clients withl insights into recycling rates in this densely populated region.
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The tie up comes as Polytag makes progress on its mission to install 12 Plastic Detection Units at MRFs across the UK, which will provide coverage of over 50% of the UK’s household recycling stream through the Ecotrace Programme. Since the programme was launched in July 2024, the Plastic Detection Unit at Biffa’s Edmonton MRF marks the seventh installation.
The extension of Polytag and Biffa’s collaboration comes alongside the recent news of Polytag’s partnership with Citeo, global packaging compliance specialist, to track the success rate of its Plastic Detection Units in detecting UV tagged single use plastic bottles entering one of Europe’s busiest MRFs in France. The live test results found a 100% success rate in detecting the UV tags, according to those involved.
Biffa’s involvement in the Ecotrace Programme follows the "Bottle to Bottle" pilot project led by Polytag in partnership with RECOUP in 2023, where Co-op's water bottles alongside Aldi and Ocado Retail's milk bottles were marked with UV tags and traced at Biffa's Teesside MRF in the northeast of England.
Craig Konczak, Business Director - Biffa MRFs & PRFs, says: “With growing demand for improved visibility and traceability of packaging and products across the value chain, from cradle to grave, digital tracking tools have the potential to revolutionise recycling. That’s why we’re delighted to be working with Polytag to gather new insights into the real-world application of these tools and explore the data being retrieved from our recovery facilities.”
“In the future, tools such as these have the potential to improve the visibility of material flows in the UK, provide greater insights into recycling behaviour, and help to inform strategic decision-making and recycling policy in the UK.”
Alice Rackley, CEO at Polytag, says: “As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Simpler Recycling regulations come into effect, businesses face a pressing need for accurate, real-time data about the lifecycle of recycled packaging materials.”
“Developing our collaboration with Biffa comes at the perfect moment for us, granting access to barcode level packaging data within the UK's most populated city for the first time. Through our Ecotrace Programme, this will help our brand clients understand the complex recycling journey of packaging in London while allowing them to stay ahead of complicated legislative changes.”
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards, which are now open for entries, 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.
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