Extended producer responsibility (EPR)
A policy approach that makes producers financially responsible for their packaging’s end-of-life. EPR policies charge producers for the packaging they put on the market, with reduced fees for those that adopt more recyclable designs.
Lifecycle assessment (LCA)
An assessment of the environmental impact a product will have throughout its existence – from raw material to recycling or disposal.
Materials recovery facility (MRF)
A plant where discarded materials are received, sorted and prepared for recycling in reprocessing facilities. MRFs separate mixed recyclables into distinct categories such as paper, plastics, metals and glass.
Monomaterial packaging
Packaging made predominantly from a single material, making it easier to recycle compared to multi-layer or mixed-material alternatives.
Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
An EU packaging policy which incentivises recyclable packaging design, the use of recycled content, reduced material use and producer responsibility for the full lifecycle of packaging.
Packaging format
The physical structure (e.g. pouch, bottle, jar) which affects recyclability, brand perception, and compatibility with machinery.
Packaging waste intelligence
Actionable insight into packaging's destination beyond the bin. Deepnest uses detailed waste data to track the post-consumption journey of consumer packaged goods, surfacing the insights that brands need to design sustainable, compliance-ready packaging.
Post-consumer recycled content (PCR)
Materials recovered from end-user products that have completed their intended use and been diverted from the waste stream. These materials are collected, recycled and reprocessed into new products or packaging.
Recyclability
The likelihood that a packaging format or material is to be recycled.
Sortability
The likelihood that a packaging format or material is to be correctly sorted in an MRF.
Sorting infrastructure
The machinery and systems that recovery facilities use to separate materials in the waste stream.