The pilot project evaluated the effectiveness of Digimarc Recycle in optimising the sortation of flexible plastic packaging in Canada
Digimarc reports positive results from Canadian recycling pilot project. (Credit: -Rita-👩🍳 und 📷 mit ❤ from Pixabay)
US-based software firm Digimarc has reported positive results from a Canadian recycling pilot project which assessed the effectiveness of Digimarc Recycle in improving recycling sortation.
The project, which is claimed to be the first of its kind in North America, evaluated the effectiveness of Digimarc Recycle in optimising the sortation of flexible plastic packaging in Canada.
It was conducted in collaboration with the Circular Plastics Taskforce (CPT), participating converters, and Pellenc ST.
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) landscape in Quebec and across Canada is changing, and the CPT seeks to lead initiatives to enhance the recycling of all plastic packaging.
Aiming to provide a first-hand account of sorting performance by CPT constituents as well as an observation of performance in mixed garbage that is typical of Canadian settings,
Digimarc said that the assessments aimed to provide a first-hand account of sorting performance by CPT constituents as well as an observation of performance in mixed waste, typical in Canadian conditions.
For films and flexibles, the accuracy of detection and sorting was 99%, meeting the Digimarc enhancement standards and overall, the results were consistent across all the material types, form factors, or comingled waste kind.
CPT found that, on an SKU-level (deterministic) basis, Digimarc technology can accurately and effectively sort films and flexibles.
It plans to use the technology in facilities beginning in 2023 to separate flexibles by the quality and enable the development of new end markets.
Digimarc CEO Riley McCormack said: “These results further confirm what has been validated in other programmes: Digimarc Recycle is exceedingly effective in improving the accuracy of recycling sortation and provides an ability to sort material that current optical sorting technology cannot.
“The Canadian provinces have ambitious targets and a clear commitment to action. We are energised by the opportunity to support CPT as they execute against their vision for advanced plastic recycling in Canada.”
Last year, large-scale sorting assessments with Digimarc technology were performed as a part of HolyGrail 2.0, a cross-industry initiative in Europe.