“Made for Recycling” label
What the label stands forYou may have noticed the “Made for Recycling” label on packaging in supermarkets, drugstores, or retail outlets and wondered what it represents. This page explains the meaning of the label, how packaging is assessed, and the requirements that must be met for packaging to be awarded the “Made for Recycling” certification. Its purpose is to provide clear and transparent information about why a particular package carries the label and what this indicates regarding its recyclability.
Interzero: established expertise for a functioning circular economy
Interzero is one of the leading service providers in the circular economy sector, bringing more than 35 years of experience in recycling and in closing product, material, and logistics loops. With Europe’s largest sorting capacity for lightweight packaging, approximately 2,000 employees, and more than 40 locations across 10 countries, Interzero combines extensive practical recycling expertise with scientific and technological know-how. The company covers the entire recycling value chain, from the collection and sorting of recyclable materials to their processing and the production of high-quality secondary raw materials. This holistic perspective enables a realistic assessment of whether packaging can actually be collected, sorted, and recycled efficiently within existing recycling infrastructures.
The “Made for Recycling” assessment methodology is built on this expertise and was developed jointly by Interzero and the bifa Environmental Institute. This scientifically based methodology considers factors such as collectability, sortability, as well as the quality and yield of recycled material. By combining laboratory testing, packaging expertise, and decades of hands-on experience in the recycling industry, Interzero has established itself as a trusted and competent partner for the assessment and certification of packaging recyclability. This provides companies with a reliable foundation for optimising their packaging according to Design for Recycling principles.
What does the “Made for Recycling” label mean?
Packaging bearing the “Made for Recycling Interzero” label has been assessed and evaluated by Interzero with regard to its recyclability. The label indicates that the certified packaging has been analysed using a scientifically based assessment methodology and has demonstrated a high level of compatibility with existing collection, sorting, and recycling processes.
The objective of the assessment is to ensure that packaging is designed in a way that allows the materials it contains to be collected, sorted, and recycled as efficiently and effectively as possible after use. Recyclable packaging plays an important role in supporting a circular economy by keeping valuable resources in circulation for longer and reducing the need for virgin raw materials.
What is assessed during the evaluation?
The assessment examines how effectively a package can be processed within currently available recycling infrastructures. The evaluation focuses on three key stages of the packaging’s end-of-life pathway: Collection, sorting, and recycling.
The following aspects are considered during Interzero’s recyclability assessment:
- The availability of a collection system for the packaging and whether it can be assigned to the appropriate collection stream.
- The ability of the packaging to be identified and sorted using technologies and equipment commonly found in existing sorting facilities.
- The separability of individual packaging components throughout the various recycling process steps.
- Potential contaminants or disruptive materials that may negatively affect recycling performance.
How does the certification system work?
The “Made for Recycling” label is based on a standardised assessment methodology developed in cooperation with the independent bifa Environmental Institute. The granting and use of the label are governed by a dedicated certification handbook. The recyclability assessment itself is performed according to a defined evaluation catalogue, which outlines the criteria and assessment standards applied during the certification process.
What is the bifa Environmental Institute?
The bifa Environmental Institute is an independent research, development, and consulting organisation specialising in recycling, waste management, and circular economy topics. Thanks to its scientific expertise and extensive experience with recycling processes, bifa serves as a highly qualified and competent partner for the development and validation of recyclability assessment methodologies.
How does the certification process work?
A detailed analysis is carried out for each individual packaging solution. The assessment is supported by laboratory testing. Depending on the packaging material, samples are examined in specialised laboratories using a range of testing methods. Laboratory results are incorporated into the evaluation, and the technical properties of the packaging are assessed against defined criteria, which are then translated into scoring points.
Only packaging that meets the specified requirements and demonstrates a high level of recyclability may carry the “Made for Recycling” label. To qualify, a package must achieve a rating of at least “Good” and score a minimum of 18 out of 20 points. The certification requirements are reviewed regularly and adapted to reflect technological progress and regulatory developments. The assessment criteria and underlying methodology are continuously monitored and updated where necessary to ensure they remain relevant and robust.
What does the label specifically mean?
Packaging carrying the “Made for Recycling” label:
- Has been assessed according to Interzero’s defined evaluation standard.
- Achieves a high level of recyclability based on criteria aligned with real-world recycling infrastructures.
- Meets the requirements of the “Made for Recycling” certification system.
- Has been evaluated according to technical and scientific criteria.
What does the label not mean?
The label does not automatically mean that:
- The packaging contains recycled materials.
- The packaging has already been recycled.
- Every individual package will actually be recycled.
- The packaging has no environmental impact.
Actual recycling outcomes depend on a range of factors, including correct disposal by consumers, the collection systems available in a particular region, and the recycling infrastructure in place.
How is compliance with the requirements ensured?
Use of the label is subject to clearly defined requirements set out in a certification handbook. The handbook provides detailed information about the label and the conditions for its use.
The criteria used to assess recyclability are defined in the evaluation catalogue. The awarding of the label is always based on a prior assessment of the packaging concerned. Both the certification handbook and the evaluation catalogue are publicly available.
In addition, specific design and branding requirements apply to the use of the label. These requirements are described in dedicated design guidelines.
Design and branding requirements
The certifications issued by Interzero, as well as the underlying assessment processes, are regularly reviewed through independent audits and controls to ensure the long-term quality and reliability of the certification system.
If a certified package is modified, it must be reassessed to determine whether it still meets the certification requirements. In the event of non-compliance with the conditions of use, the right to display the label may be restricted or withdrawn. These measures help ensure that the label is only used for packaging that continues to comply with the defined certification standards.
Our objective
Through the “Made for Recycling” certification system, we support companies in designing packaging that is more compatible with recycling processes and helps keep valuable resources in circulation. The label creates transparency by demonstrating that a package has undergone a traceable and scientifically based assessment of its recyclability.
For consumers and other stakeholders, the label provides a visible indication that the company has actively addressed the recyclability of its packaging and implemented improvements where necessary. It therefore reflects a genuine commitment to designing packaging for recycling and contributing to the transition towards a more circular economy.
