Invisible To The Eye UV Tags for Tracking Recycling

Polytag’s UV tag technology provides an invisible digital fingerprint for packaging.
UV tags are successfully deployed on rigid and flexible plastics.
Polytag works with national compliance agencies to collect verified global EPR data.

Closing the Data Gap

UV invisible tags provide a permanent, invisible-to-the-human-eye digital identity for every single piece of packaging, allowing businesses to track and trace products from production to recycling.

UV Tags meet GS1 standards and contain the barcode number of the product, which links to a description of the packaging stored on the brand account with the Polytag platform, enabling and empowering businesses facing new EPR legislation to really know their accurate recycling data for the first time.

“Invisible UV tags applied by forward-thinking brands to their packaging formats are live in market, at scale, with major retailers like Ocado, Waitrose and M&S, this demonstrates that our technology offers verifiable insights into recycling rates, which is now crucial for meeting regulatory requirements like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.”

Will Addy, Chief Commercial Officer

Portrait photo of Will sitting in a dark suit front of a white bookcase

How It Works

Polytag’s UV tag technology provides an invisible digital fingerprint for rigid and flexible plastic and plastic packaging. This patented technology embeds an invisible, GS1-standard data matrix on packaging labels. This tag is imperceptible to the consumer, but readable by specialised detection units installed at Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs).

This innovation moves beyond traditional sorting methods by enabling barcode-level traceability, providing brands with unprecedented real-time data on their products’ recycling journey. Tested rigorously by independent third-parties in situ at fully operational Material Recovery Facilities, Polytag’s UV technology scored a 100% detection rate.

Learn about UV tags on packaging

Want to prove your packaging is being recycled at barcode level? Mat Roberts explains how, with Polytag, it’s never been easier.

Photo of a uv torch revealing an invisible tag on milk packaging. — Invisible UV tags are printed on product packaging.

Photo of plastic bottles with invisible UV tags revealed under UV light. — The same tags help recycled materials to be detected at the MRF.

Photo of a Polytag sorting and scanning machine in a recycling facility. — Using one piece of machinery, easily installed at the MRF.

“UV tags, combined with our advanced detection technology, provide an unprecedented level of insight through the supply chain, tag-and-tracing every piece of packaging. In this way, Polytag technology empowers businesses to make informed decisions, to optimise their processes, and to truly embrace circularity.”

Jordon Pullen, Business Development Manager