Ocado Retail pioneers packaging traceability with UV technology in UK

UK – Ocado Retail has become the first UK grocer to scale up its use of innovative UV-tagging technology, transforming how packaging is tracked through the recycling process. 

The online supermarket has partnered with Polytag to deploy invisible UV tags across its entire own-brand milk range, marking a significant milestone in achieving a circular economy.

According to Polytag, these UV tags, undetectable to the human eye, are scanned by advanced Plastic Detection Units installed in material recovery facilities across the UK and Northern Ireland. 

These units monitor nearly 50% of the nation’s household recycling stream, providing real-time, item-level data on when and where packaging is recycled. 

The granular insight allows Ocado Retail to optimize its recycling strategies and make informed decisions to meet the requirements of the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, which mandates retailers to manage the full lifecycle of their packaging and reduce associated costs.

In a statement, Laura Fernandez, Senior Sustainability Manager at Ocado Retail, emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainability:

 “We’re constantly seeking data-driven solutions to minimize our environmental impact. Being the first online retailer to adopt Polytag’s UV-watermark technology is a proud moment for us.”

“It enables us to fully understand our packaging’s lifecycle and make impactful decisions based on real data.”

Beyond UV tags, Ocado Retail has integrated Polytag’s QR codes on over 100 own-label products, offering consumers clear recycling instructions and sustainability information. 

This dual approach bridges the gap between packaging design and its end-of-life impact, empowering customers to make eco-conscious choices. Polytag CEO Alice Rackley highlighted the broader implications:

 “This marks the start of an industry-wide shift towards transparent recycling systems. Ocado Retail’s rapid adoption of this technology sets a blueprint for others, proving what’s possible in an era of accountability for FMCG brands.”

In a recent development, Marks & Spencer (M&S) has followed suit, applying Polytag’s UV tags to its four-pint milk bottles to track recycling and enhance EPR compliance, signaling a wider industry trend towards data-driven sustainability.

The step, developed in partnership with recycling technology firm Polytag, aims to provide real-time data on the journey of packaging from shelf to sorting facility, enhancing transparency and accountability in waste management.

According to the initiative’s framework, the UV tags are embedded in the labels of M&S’s milk bottles, enabling them to be scanned by specialized detection units at recycling facilities. 

The system offers detailed insights into the recycling process, allowing M&S to monitor the lifecycle of its packaging with unprecedented precision.

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