Metric Protocol
Paper packaging assessments follow the cepi recyclability standard to determine how efficiently cellulose fibres separate during the repulping phase of a paper mill operation. This framework evaluates the behaviour of a substrate against standard pulping conditions, specifically monitoring for the presence of adhesives, coatings, or non-paper components that block effective fibre recovery. It establishes a binary classification system for materials based on their ability to integrate into existing recycling streams without contamination.
Assessment Procedure
Evaluations under the cepi recyclability standard involve standardized laboratory testing where a paper sample undergoes controlled disintegration to simulate the mechanical action of a commercial pulper. Analysts observe the amount of rejects collected on a screen of a fixed aperture size to quantify the mass of non-dispersible materials. High rejection rates indicate a failure to reach an acceptable recovery yield because the material components remain bonded or clumped rather than separating into individual fibres.
These tests establish the baseline for sorting the sample into categories that indicate its compatibility with typical recovered paper grades.
Laboratory Threshold
Industrial production facilities apply the cepi recyclability standard to manage the downstream impact of structural elements like barrier coatings or synthetic resins that might inhibit the circularity of fibre-based packaging. A mill operator requires this data to decide if incoming stock creates excessive sludge or if it degrades the strength of the resulting secondary pulp. The protocol imposes a strict limit on the concentration of contaminants that reach the screen because even minor additions of synthetic polymers alter the physical performance and processing economics of the finished paper roll.
Effective circularity relies on maintaining these purity boundaries during the initial design of the packaging structure.
