An Australian innovation
in packaging recyclability
PREP began with a simple challenge: how can businesses know whether their packaging will actually be recyclable?
It started with a question
Engineer and sustainability specialist Anthony Peyton saw that material type alone wasn't enough. Size, shape, weight, inks, adhesives and material combinations could all have an effect on what happened to packaging through collection, sorting and reprocessing.
In 2007, Anthony began developing a more consistent, evidence-based way to assess the complete packaging format. That methodology would become the Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Portal (PREP).
From an idea to an industry tool
What began as a decision-tree methodology evolved into an enterprise software platform, helping businesses assess packaging, improve recyclability and support recycling claims with evidence.
PREP was originally scoped and commissioned by the Australian Packaging Covenant and developed with support from Green Industries SA and the Innovyz Waste & Recycling Technology Commercialisation Program.
Today, PREP provides the evidence base used to determine classifications under the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) and continues to evolve in Australia and internationally.
PREP today
From an Australian innovation to a platform used to assess hundreds of thousands of packaging items, PREP continues to evolve alongside changing packaging, recycling systems and regulation.
Its purpose remains simple: give businesses clear, consistent and evidence-based information to make better packaging decisions.
Get in touch
Have a question about PREP functionality, a technical assessment or an idea for improving the platform?
Once logged in, contact APCO via the feedback form under the support tab