Recyclability assessment methodology: background and definitions
Recyclability assessment methodology (RAM): how to classify your packaging and technical definitions.
Documents
Details
This is technical guidance for the recyclability assessment methodology (RAM) that explains:聽
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how to classify your packaging and correctly report it聽
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the stages of recyclability, and how these relate to 迟丑别鈥痳ed,鈥痑mber鈥痑nd鈥痝reen鈥痳atings聽
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rules around take-back schemes聽
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definitions of technical terms聽
You should read this guide alongside other RAM information that covers:鈥�
- how to assess your packaging waste鈥�
- RAM鈥�ratings and outputs for different packaging materials
- clarifications and additional information to help you carry out your RAM 补蝉蝉别蝉蝉尘别苍迟听
- 迟丑别鈥�RAM鈥痙ecision tree
The RAM is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).
June 2025 regulatory position statement on the RAM
The environmental regulators have issued a statement on聽collecting and聽reporting data under the RAM.
This only applies to Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) data collection and reporting. It does not apply to any other data you must collect and report for EPR for packaging.
Read the regulatory position statement聽to understand how this affects your data submission.
Updates to this page
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Updated list of links to other RAM guidance, including new link to 'supplementary' clarifications and additions guidance to help you carry out your RAM assessment.
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This is version 1.1 of the recyclability assessment methodology. THere are some additional definitions in this document.
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Changes to some container examples, to clarify label coverage area. A bottle of water has been changed to a bottle of detergent so that there is no clash with the Deposit Return Scheme,
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First published.