Eight-week pilot uses invisible UV tags and advanced packaging traceability to measure real-world recycling rates and improve milk bottle circularity in the UK.
Aldi UK and Arla Foods have launched an eight-week operational pilot to improve milk bottle recycling by tracking packaging throughout the recycling process using Polytag’s UV-tagging technology. The initiative is designed to generate real-world recycling data that will help both companies improve packaging circularity and support more sustainable packaging decisions.
The trial uses invisible UV tags printed onto wrap-around milk bottle labels with a specially developed fluorescent ink from Sun Chemical. The labels, produced by Saica Flex, are applied to Arla’s milk bottles at its Oakthorpe dairy in the UK. As bottles pass through materials recovery facilities (MRFs), Polytag’s Plastic Detection Units identify the UV markers and collect real-time data on how the packaging moves through the recycling stream.
The project builds on a successful collaboration launched in 2023, expanding the use of smart packaging technology to provide brands with more detailed insights into recycling rates, material recovery, and the end-of-life performance of plastic milk bottles. The data will help Aldi and Arla evaluate packaging performance and identify opportunities to improve recyclability and increase the use of recycled materials.
Unlike the earlier trial, the latest project uses wrap-around labels instead of pressure-sensitive labels, offering improved durability while maintaining compatibility with existing production lines. The fluorescent ink has been tested to ensure it does not interfere with recycling processes or affect the quality of recycled polymers, making the solution suitable for commercial-scale deployment.
The initiative also supports the growing need for accurate packaging data under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. By providing verified information on actual recycling outcomes, the technology enables brands and retailers to make evidence-based decisions that improve packaging design and strengthen circular economy strategies.
Through this collaboration, Aldi and Arla are demonstrating how digital traceability technologies can help transform plastic packaging recycling. The pilot is expected to provide valuable insights that could accelerate the adoption of smart packaging solutions, improve milk bottle recycling rates, and support a more transparent and circular packaging value chain.