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This guidance gives an overview of the recyclability assessment methodology (RAM) 2027,听including听who must use it,听how it 飞辞谤办蝉听and the policy principles supporting it.听

Large听producers听should read this guidance alongside the听RAM 2027 materials assessment听guidance to assess recyclability for the 2027 reporting year (1 January to 31 December 2027).听

Who must report recyclability data听

Under听extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging听large听producers听are legally required to use the RAM to听assess the recyclability of听the听household听packaging they supply.听听

They must report RAM assessment data alongside their other packaging data听to the environmental regulators.鈥�听

Large听producers can check听the听packaging听data听they听must report听under EPR 蹿辞谤听辫补肠办补驳颈苍驳.听听

Packaging that鈥檚 affected听

RAM assessments must be carried out on:鈥�听

• household packaging, including household drinks containers made from glass听

• packaging that鈥痗ommonly ends up in public听bins鈥�鈥�听

RAM听assessments听only need to听be carried out on听reusable听and refillable household packaging the first time听it鈥檚听supplied.鈥�鈥�鈥�听

Principles that support RAM 2027听

The RAM 2027鈥痯rovides鈥痑 way to assess听if听packaging can be听recycled听through all stages听of听the recycling^{[footnote 1]} process using听existing鈥痮perational鈥痳ecycling infrastructure.听听

Collecting packaging is听only one听part听of the听recycling听process;听packaging must also be sorted鈥痚ffectively,鈥痳eprocessed into usable鈥痳ecyclate, and applied in ways that keep resources circulating within the economy (referred to as 鈥榬ecycled at scale鈥�).听

RAM 2027 builds on RAM version 1.1 by:听

• maintaining the methodology鈥檚 focus on what happens in practice听

• considering established technologies and听real鈥憌orld听operational performance听

• considering if the system has鈥痵ufficient capacity to manage the volumes placed on the鈥痬arket听

How the RAM 飞辞谤办蝉听

Producers must听assess packaging as either听a听whole听item of packaging formed of听integrated components听or as separate components and check it meets the definition of the material听category听they鈥檙e听reporting under.听This step听is听known as听classification and听was听referred to as听the first听of 5 stages听in听previous听versions of the听RAM.听听

贵辞濒濒辞飞颈苍驳听肠濒补蝉蝉颈蹿颈肠补迟颈辞苍,听RAM听2027听evaluates鈥痠tems听of packaging听and components听under听8听material categories听at听4鈥痚ssential stages听of recyclability:听

• 肠辞濒濒别肠迟颈辞苍听

• 蝉辞谤迟补迟颈辞苍听

• 谤别辫谤辞肠别蝉蝉颈苍驳听

• 补辫辫濒颈肠补迟颈辞苍听

To claim that packaging is 鈥渞ecycled at鈥痵cale,鈥� producers must听ensure they have听evidence that:听

• packaging is moving through these stages听in practice through existing, proven infrastructure (not pilot or experimental systems)听听

• the system has sufficient capacity to manage the amount of this packaging being supplied to the market听

At each stage,听packaging must be assessed听as either red,鈥痑mber鈥痮r听green with final assessment ratings reported alongside other EPR for packaging data.听

RAM听ratings听affect the听waste disposal fees producers must pay听for that鈥痯ackaging material. Red-rated materials will incur higher charges听compared to听more recyclable materials. This is called 鈥榝ee modulation鈥�.鈥�鈥�鈥�听

Find out鈥�how waste disposal fees are calculated.鈥�听

RAM ratings 鈥痑re听not related to听other听recyclability鈥痩abelling听that may be on the packaging.鈥�鈥�鈥�听

Stages of recyclability听

Before packaging is assessed听at each stage of the 4 stages of recyclability,听producers听must听assess:听

• if their听packaging听is considered听a whole packaging听item formed of听integrated听components or听as听a separate听component听

• the material category they must report under听

This is referred to as classification.听

Stage 1: Collection听

Collection听considers听whether and听how packaging is captured through the UK鈥檚听established听operational recycling system. It refers to the main route by which a packaging item enters the recycling process and must reflect systems that work鈥痑t鈥痵cale鈥痠n听real鈥憌orld听conditions.鈥�听

RAM collection data for each reporting year reflects what is collected at the time of RAM 辫耻产濒颈肠补迟颈辞苍.听颁丑别肠办 packaging that is commonly collected for 2027 and听previous听reporting years.听

Commonly collected at kerbside听

For a green rating at collection assessment stage, the item of packaging or听component听must be collected at kerbside by听at听least听75% of local authorities across the UK.听听

Limited collection at kerbside听

Some items of packaging and components are collected by a substantial number of听local authorities听across the UK but fall short of meeting the听at least听75% threshold for commonly collected at kerbside.听Items听can听continue to be assessed听at听further听recycling stages听with a capped amber rating听if听they are听collected at kerbside by at least 50% of local authorities across the UK听(limited collection).听

Packaging听that听is not listed as听commonly collected or limited 肠辞濒濒别肠迟颈辞苍听must听be rated red听unless it听meets take-back scheme evidence听requirements.

Stage 2: Sortation听

This refers to the process of capturing and diverting packaging waste into听appropriate waste听streams for further reprocessing.鈥疘n some听local authorities, this separation occurs more extensively at the kerbside by consumers (for example, source separated versus comingled collection systems).鈥�鈥�听

For the purposes of the RAM, the focus is on the ability of packaging听waste听to鈥痓e sorted at scale鈥痺ithin UK operational material recovery facilities (MRFs), and whether听sufficient听sorting capacity exists to handle the volume听supplied.鈥�鈥�听

While packaging items may technically be鈥痵ortable into relevant waste streams,听various factors听can hinder their鈥痚ffective separation in sortation facilities such as:听

• 别辩耻颈辫尘别苍迟听濒颈尘颈迟补迟颈辞苍蝉听

• 肠辞苍迟补尘颈苍补迟颈辞苍听

• packaging design听

• throughput pressures听

Assessments must be based on the state in which the item of packaging and components can reasonable be expected to end up in the recycling system.

Future iterations of the鈥� RAM 鈥痬ay鈥� seek听to听leverage听sampling data听from听material recovery facilities听to provide a more听accurate听assessment of the sortation capabilities and efficiencies鈥痠n practice鈥痠n the UK听for each packaging material and format.听

Stage 3: Reprocessing听听

Reprocessing听is the stage where听sorted packaging waste听can be听turned into鈥痷sable鈥痳ecyclate. This 鈥痵tep is a crucial part of the RAM, assessing whether a material can鈥痓e recycled 鈥痶hrough technologies that exist and鈥痮perate鈥痑t commercial scale.鈥�听

Each material type requires specific reprocessing technologies and conditions. Even when a material reaches a听reprocessor, its successful conversion depends on:听

• the capabilities of the installed鈥痠nfrastructure听

• whether there is听sufficient听capacity to handle the volume听supplied鈥�听

Different reprocessing systems have鈥痙ifferent limits on what they can tolerate.听听

Common issues include:听

• contaminating materials听

• 补诲丑别蝉颈惫别蝉听

• 颈苍办蝉听

• 尘耻濒迟颈濒补测别谤蝉听

• incompatible polymers听

If contamination is too high, the process becomes less efficient, quality drops, or the material may be rejected entirely.鈥�听

For a packaging format to be considered听reprocessable听at scale, it must:鈥�听

• be compatible with existing, proven reprocessing technologies currently in operation鈥�鈥�听

• be able to run through these systems without causing disruption鈥痮r requiring鈥痑ny听pre鈥憈reatment鈥�听

• meet the quality thresholds needed to produce a usable听recyclate听that can return鈥痶o the 鈥痸alue chain鈥�听

• have听sufficient听real-world reprocessing capacity available to absorb the quantity of the packaging being supplied to the market鈥�听

Therefore, the criteria set out in the materials specific section reflect these attributes.鈥�听

Future updates to the RAM鈥痬ay鈥痩ook to incorporate direct data from UK reprocessors, such as:听

• yield rates听

• contamination impacts听

• real-world throughput听

This data will help听to provide a clearer picture of how each material performs in鈥疷K鈥痮perational systems and whether scaled鈥痳eprocessing capacity exists.鈥�听

Stage 4: Application听

Application refers to how the听recyclate听produced鈥痑fter鈥�谤别辫谤辞肠别蝉蝉颈苍驳听is听ultimately used,听and whether听any听factors limit its ability to听return to the value chain.听

Recyclate听quality听is important.鈥疨oor鈥痲uality听recyclate听may only be suitable for limited or听low鈥憊alue听uses or may need听further听treatment before it can be used, which can increase material losses.鈥�鈥�听

For a packaging format to be considered recyclable at scale, its听recyclate听must have an established听end鈥憉se. This means the recycled material should be able to:听

• enter production streams in a way that reduces the need for virgin听materials听

• support circular material flows听

• maintain product quality and safety听

The RAM aims to incentivise the production of high-quality听recyclate.鈥�听

Future versions of the RAM will aim to integrate better UK data on听recyclate听quality, practical鈥痚nd鈥憁arkets, and the extent of secondary material losses.鈥疶his will help ensure that materials assessed as recyclable at scale truly contribute to a functioning circular economy.鈥�鈥�听

Take-back schemes听听

Dedicated take-back schemes offer a way to recapture materials and packaging types that are not collected at kerbside听(commonly collected or听limited collection).听听

Packaging can be reported as amber if producers have evidence that it is collected using a take-back scheme and successfully recycled.听听

Producers who can meet take-back scheme听evidence听requirements听do not need to follow the RAM materials assessment guidance.听听听

Packaging听that听is listed as commonly collected or limited 肠辞濒濒别肠迟颈辞苍听does not qualify for take-back and must be assessed using the RAM material-specific guidance.听

Producers must notify PackUK that packaging is being reported as amber based on a take-back scheme. Guidance on how to notify PackUK will be shared in due course.

Evidence requirements听

Producers must keep clear, specific evidence that the chosen take-back scheme meets all the following criteria:听

• it has accessible collection points (in-store or at household waste recycling centres) that at least 75% of the UK population or households can access within a 5-mile radius of their home, or offers a postal take-back service that covers at least 75% of UK home addresses听

• it does not compete with kerbside collections (the materials are not听listed as commonly collected or limited 肠辞濒濒别肠迟颈辞苍听at kerbside)

• it accepts packaging from all brands听

• it听does not require consumers to make a purchase before depositing an item听

• can show traceability of the specific material (such as polypropylene) through the 4 stages of recycling听鈥� collection, sortation,听谤别辫谤辞肠别蝉蝉颈苍驳听and 补辫辫濒颈肠补迟颈辞苍听

Producers should ask take-back scheme operators to provide them with the required evidence.听听

Examples of evidence听

Evidence of accessibility may include:听

• take-back collection points plotted on a map overlayed by a gridded population density map听

• a link to relevant content on the take-back scheme鈥檚 website explaining how the public can sign up to or access the service, if appropriate鈥�听

Evidence to听demonstrate听there are no brand or听purchasing听restrictions may include:听

• a written declaration from the take-back scheme operator听

• a link to relevant content on their website听

• photos of signage at the drop-off point听

• other means of communication听听听

Evidence of traceability needs to include details about:鈥�听

• the听packaging recovery note (PRN)听or听packaging export recycling note (PERN)听from accredited service providers who sort and reprocess the waste material - such as references to waste transfer notes and other documentary evidence showing that material has been reprocessed听

• service providers who will be handling disposal for any collected material that is too contaminated to reprocess听

RAM recyclability ratings听

As a result of the recyclability assessment,鈥痯ackaging will听be given听one of听3听RAM 谤补迟颈苍驳蝉:鈥�听

• red鈥�-听packaging has specifications that make it difficult to recycle at scale, it cannot reliably move through the existing recycling system听due to challenges in collection, sortation, reprocessing, or because no听end鈥憉se听exists within current operational infrastructure鈥�听

• amber听-听packaging may experience challenges during collection and difficulties in sortation, requires specialist infrastructure for reprocessing, the听efficiency and output quality of reprocessing is affected, or there is some secondary material loss鈥�听

• green听-听packaging听is widely recyclable in the current UK鈥痠nfrastructure鈥�听

Automatic reds鈥�听

Some packaging will be rated red automatically. The听automatic鈥痳ed criteria听is听based on:听

• established UK regulations听

• recognised risk frame飞辞谤办蝉听

• evidence on impacts to recycling systems and material recovery听

Packaging that鈥檚 considered automatic red听cannot be considered recyclable within EPR, regardless of听its听technical recyclability, because听to do so would听create听legal, chemical, or听system鈥憀evel听barriers to safe and effective recycling.鈥�听

Future鈥痙irection of鈥痑utomatic reds鈥�听

PackUK听may听consider听adding听additional听criteria听for听automatic red rating in future iterations of the RAM.听These听may include:听

• packaging material that does not听include听any听verified鈥痳ecycled鈥痗ontent鈥�听

• excessive packaging based on empty space, unnecessary听fillers听and similar inefficiencies听听

Decisions on听material听ratings鈥痑nd future RAM 颈迟别谤补迟颈辞苍蝉听

PackUK听is responsible for听designing,鈥痬aintaining听and publishing the RAM, and for making the final decisions on material听rating听criteria.听

PackUK听is supported by听the听鈥�RAM鈥疶echnical Advisory Committee (TAC).听

The TAC is听an听independent听advisory body听that听advises听PackUK听on鈥痯ackaging sustainability and 鈥痶he鈥痑nnual review of the鈥�RAM.听听

罢丑别鈥�TAC鈥痠ncludes听representatives听from听a broad听cross-section of the packaging value chain. It supports听PackUK to assess any planned changes to听the鈥�RAM, making sure鈥痶hose鈥� changes reflect recyclability and consider different bases of assessment.鈥�听

PackUK听will听also be听collaborating听with the appointed PRO and industry stakeholders to refine and update the criteria set out in the RAM.听

奥丑别苍鈥痶丑别 RAM will be鈥痯ublished听

The RAM will be updated听each year and published before the next reporting year starts.鈥疎ach鈥� annual 鈥痷pdate鈥痺ill be evidence led.听听

Future iterations will build on existing evidence and data to听ensure the RAM听criteria is听aligned to听how packaging materials perform in practice within UK operational infrastructure.听

Green claims听

Producers听should consider RAM ratings alongside鈥痳elevant Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) guidance, including the听, when making packaging decisions.