The Design for Recycling Guidelines for Liquid Packaging Cartons (LPCs) - version 2.0, published by the Food and Beverage Carton Alliance (FBCA), provide updated technical guidance to ensure food and beverage cartons are recyclable, sustainable, and aligned with circular economy goals. LPCs, composed of liquid packaging board laminated with polymers and sometimes aluminium, require specialized recycling processes that recover high-quality fibres and process the remaining polymer-aluminium (PolyAl) fraction.

The guidelines define recyclability in line with EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requirements, offering design recommendations for compatibility with collection, sorting, fibre recovery, and PolyAl recycling. They emphasize the importance of considering recyclability at the design stage, covering aspects such as material selection, closures, inks, barrier layers, and alternative polymers.

With recycling rates already exceeding 50% in Europe, and targets set to reach 70% by 2030, the guidelines aim to future-proof LPC design by adapting to evolving technologies, regulations, and market conditions. They also include a self-assessment tool (RECY:CHECK) to help manufacturers evaluate recyclability performance.

In essence, this publication serves as a practical reference for packaging producers, recyclers, policymakers, and other stakeholders committed to advancing sustainable, low-carbon, and recyclable packaging solutions.

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