Aldi has introduced a major change to its milk bottles as part of a new sustainability initiative. The retailer has teamed up with dairy cooperative Arla and recycling technology firm Polytag to launch an eight-week pilot using invisible UV-tagged labels on milk bottles to track how the packaging moves through the UK's recycling system.
How the technology works
The project uses specially developed fluorescent ink from Sun Chemical, printed onto wrap-around labels produced by Saica Flex. The invisible UV tags enable individual milk bottles to be detected as they pass through recycling facilities, allowing Aldi and Arla to gather data on the movement and recycling of their packaging.
The latest trial builds on a 2023 pilot involving Aldi, Arla and Polytag that used pressure-sensitive labels. This time, the technology has been incorporated into wrap-around labels applied to Arla milk bottles at the company's Oakthorpe facility.
Industry response
According to the companies, the fluorescent ink can be applied using standard printing methods without affecting production speeds. Sun Chemical said the ink has been tested against RecyClass Washing Quick Test Procedures and EPBP Quicktest QT 507 and has been designed to work with Polytag's detection technology without negatively affecting the quality of recycled polymers.
When tagged bottles enter the recycling stream, Polytag's Plastic Detection Units, installed at material recovery facilities, detect the UV tags and transmit data to the company's digital platform. Aldi, Arla and other brands and retailers can then use the information to gain greater visibility into where and when their packaging is processed.
What the pilot aims to achieve
Luke Emery, plastics and packaging director at Aldi UK, said: "This next phase with Polytag represents an exciting step forward in how we use data to drive our sustainability strategy. By integrating this advanced traceability technology into our packaging, we can gain deeper insights into the lifecycle of our materials."
Stefaan D'hoore, director of business development, specialty inks and coatings at Sun Chemical, said the project marks the first commercial use of the company's fluorescent ink with Polytag's technology. The companies said the data gathered during the pilot could help brands better measure progress against packaging sustainability targets and make more informed decisions about packaging design and recycling performance.
