Supermarkets are tracking the quantity of product packaging that is recycled through technology trials that trace materials in the supply chain more extensively.

Ocado and Co-op have been trialing invisible UV tags that track recycling data across milk and water products, and Aldi will also begin its trial in July.

Taking place in partnership with recycling technology company Polytag, the tags will send data to Biffa’s Teeside material recycling facility using scannable QR codes.

The UV tag layer will enable barcode level information to be captured in the recycling centre and uploaded to Polytag’s analytics dashboard.

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The data will allow each retailer to track an item’s journey through the process and accurately calculate the quantity of its packaging that is actually recycled.

Co-op first partnered with Polytag in April to apply the unique-every-time QR codes and UV tags to its own-label PET 2-litre spring water bottles.

Ocado, which was the first retailer to undergo the trial in November 2022, applied the tags to 1.6m of its fully recyclable milk bottles.

At the time, Polytag CEO Alice Rackley said the ‘world-first’ trial with the online-only supermarket would have “game-changing implications” for recycling in England.

She told The Grocer: “Growing numbers of stakeholders are becoming aware of the necessity of data to incite meaningful change when it comes to recycling, and we know the power this never-before-seen data can have for brands and retailers committed to delivering their sustainability goals.”