Polytag has commissioned a detection system at Sherbourne Recycling’s materials recycling facility in Coventry, England, expanding its Ecotrace program aimed at improving how packaging is tracked once it enters the recycling system.

The technology allows participating companies to monitor packaging at barcode level and generates data on how materials move through recycling operations. Retailers including Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Ocado Retail are supporting the initiative, which is designed to provide verifiable recycling information and increase transparency around packaging recovery.

According to Polytag, the new installation increases network capacity for more detailed monitoring of recycled packaging materials and supports collaboration between brands and recycling operators.

Jon Anderson, chief technology officer at Polytag, said, “The deployment of our advanced detection system at Sherbourne Recycling’s facility marks an important step forward for the Ecotrace program. Each new installation moves us toward a completely transparent, scalable, and verifiable recycling infrastructure.

He added that the technology delivers detailed, trustworthy data that authenticates the complete packaging journey and safeguards the integrity of the circular economy.

Greg Paradowski, technical and operations director at Sherbourne recycling center, said, “We’re proud to support the Ecotrace program and work with Polytag in advancing accessibility to key recycling data to encourage circular economy goals.

“We believe in real collaboration throughout the supply chain and have worked with packaging manufacturers to better help them understand the true recyclability of their products. The data available to brands from Polytag’s advanced detection system is the next step in allowing those companies to better design for circularity and demonstrate real environmental impacts and savings.”