M&S rolls out invisible UV tags to aid recycling in grocery industry first

The tags, which have been developed by the retailer in partnership with software firm Polytag, have been printed onto the labels of M&S’ four-pint bottles of milk to try and increase recycling rates.

Once recycled by shoppers, the tags are then scanned by Polytag’s proprietary plastic detection units, provided the recycling facility in question has that technology.

Polytag believes these tags could be used in the future to help retailers across grocery and fashion follow recycling data in real-time, as well as have better access to insights around customer recycling of their single-use plastic packaging.

The software firm said the data has been used to accurately track sustainability targets, enhance the accuracy of recycling claims, and has helped boost compliance with regulations around recycling and product packaging waste.

M&S hopes the UV tags will also help it lower its costs under the new extended producer responsibility (EVR) rules by enabling it to be more precise in its reporting.

The retailer has invested £100,000 into the new technology, while Polytag is working with other retailers, including Waitrose, Co-op and Aldi, to roll out UV tags on their products.

M&S Food head of packaging Mark Hitschmann said: “We expect to gain more data and insight around what is happening to our packaging in the real world through our work with Polytag.

“Our customers consistently tell us that reducing plastic is very important to them, so this is another way they can trust that M&S is doing the right thing to help them easily make more sustainable choices when they shop with us.”

It comes after reports this week that M&S is potentially facing a £40m tax bill related to its recycling, as new packaging levies are due to come into effect from October.