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Guidance

Recyclability assessment methodology: background and definitions

Recyclability assessment methodology (RAM): how to classify your packaging and technical definitions.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published:
23 December 2024
Last updated:
4 September 2025
Show all updates

  1. Updated list of links to other RAM guidance, including new link to 'supplementary' clarifications and additions guidance to help you carry out your RAM assessment.

  2. This is version 1.1 of the recyclability assessment methodology. THere are some additional definitions in this document.

  3. Changes to some container examples, to clarify label coverage area. A bottle of water has been changed to a bottle of detergent so that there is no clash with the Deposit Return Scheme,

  4. First published.

Documents

Recyclability assessment methodology: stages of recyclability and definitions

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Details

This is technical guidance for the recyclability assessment methodology (RAM) that explains: 

  • how to classify your packaging and correctly report it 

  • the stages of recyclability, and how these relate to the red, amber and green ratings 

  • rules around take-back schemes 

  • definitions of technical terms 

You should read this guide alongside other RAM information that covers:  

The RAM is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

June 2025 regulatory position statement on the RAM

The environmental regulators have issued a statement on collecting and reporting data under the RAM.

This only applies to Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) data collection and reporting. It does not apply to any other data you must collect and report for EPR for packaging.

Read the regulatory position statement to understand how this affects your data submission.

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