PET is the polymer champion in circularity and PET trays are already great performers in terms of use of recyclates; in the EU market, PET-based trays contain on average around 55% of recycled plastics but this is just the first step already achieved towards circularity.

There is a growing trend in the collection of PET trays for specific recycling activities. Nonetheless, more work must be done. Besides separate collection and proper sorting of trays and other PET sheet-based products, design for recycling is a major tool to boost their circularity.

The Tray Circularity Evaluation Platform (TCEP) created by PETCORE EUROPE, supported by tray manufacturers, the European Association of Plastic Recycling and Recovery Organizations (EPRO) and Plastics Recyclers Europe (PRE).

The mission of the platform is to give support to the value chain of thermoformed PET trays to improve recyclability of thermoforms and strive to circularity.

The Platform consists of technical experts in the field of PET thermoforms design, production and recycling, whose only objective is the evaluation of existing technologies and innovation and providing an independent and confidential assessment of their impact on the PET recycling processes across Europe.

The Tray Platform has established DESIGN GUIDELINES and several test procedures in order to assess the impact on recycling of new packaging technologies. Products that pass the tests should not cause any problems during recycling.

The Tray Platform is issuing also TECHNICAL OPINIONS on new packaging solutions that have been positively assessed by the TCEP technical expert’s panel. Innovations that have been positively assessed should not cause any problems during recycling, assuming that the set conditions are met.

Please find right here the SECRECY AGREEMENT and the APPLICATION FORM to apply for assessment of your innovative packaging or packaging solution as well as the MODUS OPERANDI detailing how the platform operates to give technical opinions.