The system will name polymer type, colour and classify the level of contamination

The first public specifications for plastic waste were launched in London today. The specifications, known as PAS103, have been created so that waste producers, collectors and recyclers can use a common language to describe batches of plastics waste.

Colin Williamson, the outgoing chairman of the British Plastics Federation Recycling Council, said: “This is a world first for the plastics recycling industry. Metals, glass, paper and other collected waste materials have used classification systems for years, but this is the first complete system created specifically for plastics waste.”

The system will name the main polymer type and colour along with a classification of the level of contamination. The specifications were sponsored by the DTI, Biffaward, Wrap, EMR and Fujitsu Services. They are published by the BSI and available from Wrap free of charge.