The SPBack initiative, promoted by Controlpack, one of the leading distributors of end-of-line packaging nationwide, explores the possibility of activating stretch film recovery circuits along the entire distribution chain. Within the framework of the project, a pilot test has been carried out to technically validate the feasibility of closing the loop by collecting and recycling LDPE film. This test has evaluated factors such as the carbon footprint generated and the recyclability of the film used in pallet packaging.

Low-density  polyethylene (also known as LDPE) is a thermoplastic polymer, from the olefinic group, made up of multiple ethylene units. Its strength is flexibility. In addition, it is very resistant to impact and different thermal and chemical conditions. Despite being a recyclable plastic, this material, like all virgin plastics (recyclable or not), is not exempt from the recently imposed statewide plastic tax.

Through the SPBack project, Controlpack has worked on the development of a recovery network that facilitates the treatment of stretch film once its life cycle has ended. With the support of specialised agents for film treatment, a specific collection circuit has been defined to ensure the correct separation and selection of LDPE plastic with the aim of guaranteeing its recycling.

The  initiative represents an important step forward on the road to a circular economy that is set out in the new guidelines. In addition, the new regulations on packaging and industrial waste mention incentives for circular management, recovery or recycling models, and make it mandatory to be part of packaging waste management systems and industrial waste of Extended Waste Producer Responsibility (SIRAP/SCRAP).

Controlpack, as a distributor of packaging material and specialized machinery for its application, has been working with its main customers since 2013 on a distribution model based on servitization. Under this way of working, the system called "Pay per Use" makes available to its customers the free transfer of machinery in exchange for the exclusive purchase of stretch film.

This system represents a great environmental impact from the part of the savings in film application, since Controlpack's machinery manages to stabilize the amount of film applied with savings of 30% compared to manual applications. And it also leads to an increase in the life cycle of the machinery, where Controlpack at all times safeguards the ownership of the machine, carries out adequate maintenance and regulates the extension of use through the introduction to second-hand markets.

All this allows them on the one hand to offer better advice linked to the optimization of the aforementioned material, and on the other hand, the implementation  of circular systems of their materials, as this project intends.

This project has been funded with the support of the Waste Agency of Catalonia. This line of aid aims to promote "projects to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in Catalonia, improve efficiency in the use of material resources and decouple global economic development from resource consumption".