Waitrose to track and trace single-use plastic packaging with Polytag

Waitrose is to track its single-use plastic packaging from stores to recycling centres to better understand how much of it ends up in landfill.

In partnership with Polytag, packaging will be marked with “invisible UV tags” which are detected and read when the packaging arrives on a conveyor belt at one of 12 Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in the UK.

The tags – which are “applied at speed using fluorescent ink” – mean the supermarket will be able to “accurately identify how much of their packaging has been recycled post-consumption” Polytag said.

Waitrose will be able to track its plastic waste using an online portal which provides “live barcode-level lifecycle data” on the plastic packaging.

The tracking system comes via Polytag’s Ecotrace programme, which was launched last summer.

Joining the programme is a “significant step forward in enhancing our ability to track and understand the journey of our plastic packaging post-consumption” said Denise Mathieson, head of packaging design & delivery at Waitrose.

“By leveraging Polytag’s technology, we will gain unprecedented insights into how our packaging is recycled, allowing us to make more informed decisions that support a circular economy,” Mathieson added. “This initiative aligns with our ongoing sustainability efforts and reinforces our dedication to reducing single-use plastic waste. We are excited to collaborate with Polytag and other retailers to drive meaningful change at an industry level, ultimately contributing to a more transparent and effective recycling system in the UK.”

Polytag – which also works with Co-op, Ocado, Müller and Aldi – said retailers and brands will need to take more responsibility for the recycling of their packaging materials as extended producer responsibility (EPR) legislation comes into force.

“Waitrose joins us at a pivotal moment as we approach our goal of installing UV Tag detection technology at 12 sites within the first year of our Ecotrace programme,” said Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag. “This is an incredible achievement that will empower fmcg brands, retailers and waste management companies by providing invaluable access to granular barcode-level data on 50% of the UK’s waste recycling stream.”