Verpact has published the 2026 update of its Recycle Check tools, incorporating recent legislative developments, advances in recycling technologies and innovations across the packaging value chain.
The Recycle Checks enable companies to assess the recyclability of packaging within the current Dutch collection, sorting and recycling system. The tools cover a wide range of materials, including rigid and flexible plastic packaging, glass, metal, paper and cardboard, and beverage cartons. As part of the ongoing integration of KIDV into Verpact, the updated Recycle Checks are now published on behalf of Verpact.
Each Recycle Check consists of an online checklist specific to a packaging material, supported by a background document explaining the underlying criteria. By answering a series of questions, users receive a recyclability score ranging from “good” to “reasonable”, “limited” or “non-recyclable”. A dedicated guide is available to help users select the appropriate Recycle Check for their packaging.
For plastic packaging, the outcome of the Recycle Check also plays a role in Verpact’s fee modulation system, linking recyclability performance to EPR contributions. All Recycle Checks are accessible through Verpact’s online environment, for which access can be requested directly.
Annual updates and alignment with EU legislation
The Recycle Checks are updated annually to reflect changes in the packaging supply chain, including new laws and regulations, improved recycling methods and market developments. The 2026 update takes into account the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) as far as possible, while ensuring continuity ahead of the forthcoming delegated act on Design for Recycling.
In parallel, a CEN working group is developing European standards for Design for Recycling of packaging, which will feed into the delegated act expected to enter into force on 1 January 2028. The relevant specifications and standards are anticipated to be published by the end of 2025. Against this background, the guiding principle of the current update has been to limit structural changes while clarifying existing requirements.
Key changes in the 2026 update
The most significant updates focus on textual clarifications, largely based on user feedback and improved alignment with tariff differentiation terminology. Key improvements include:
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Clearer explanations of the relationship between the main component and the target material;
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Clarification of how to determine what constitutes a disposal unit;
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Updated links to relevant internal and external reference information;
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Improved user-friendliness of the checklists where possible.
Material-specific changes have been introduced for rigid plastic packaging, flexible plastic packaging, paper and cardboard, glass, metal and beverage cartons.
Users are advised that, in exceptional cases, loading the new Recycle Checks may require clearing the browser cache. As previously entered data may be lost, Verpact recommends exporting the packaging portfolio before doing so.