What is the CEPI recyclability framework and why it matters

As sustainability requirements become more concrete across the packaging sector, recyclability is no longer a generic attribute. For brands and retailers, the central question is whether a material can be effectively recycled within existing systems, at scale, and under real industrial conditions.

In Europe, this shift has driven the need for shared, science-based frameworks that translate recyclability from intention into measurable performance. A key role in this transition has been played by the Confederation of European Paper Industries, which has worked to align packaging design with the operational reality of paper recycling.

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CEPI’s role in the European paper and packaging ecosystem

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CEPI represents the European pulp, paper, and paper-based packaging industry and works across the value chain, from policy and standards to recyclability and circularity guidance. Its contribution goes beyond advocacy, focusing on long-term system performance.

Over decades, the European paper industry has steadily improved material design, collection efficiency, and recycling infrastructure. These incremental improvements have enabled paper-based packaging to scale reliably, supporting the broader transition away from plastic toward fiber-based alternatives. This shift is not the result of a single innovation, but of sustained progress in recyclability, mill compatibility, and system design, as documented by CEPI in its analysis of the packaging market’s evolution from plastics to paper.

Within this context, CEPI’s work aims to ensure that recyclability claims reflect what actually happens once packaging enters the recycling stream.

The CEPI  recyclability framework

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To support consistent and credible evaluation, CEPI has developed a harmonised recyclability testing framework for paper-based packaging. The framework assesses packaging under laboratory conditions designed to replicate standard paper recycling processes.

Rather than focusing on material composition alone, the methodology evaluates how packaging behaves during recycling. This includes fiber recovery efficiency, the presence of visual or adhesive impurities, and compatibility with screening and sheet formation stages.

By applying the same criteria across different materials and formats, the CEPI framework provides a common reference point for packaging designers, converters, and brand owners. CEPI’s paper-based packaging recyclability guidelines are widely used to support eco-design decisions grounded in industrial feasibility rather than assumptions.

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Why this framework matters for brands

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For brands navigating regulatory requirements and sustainability commitments, the CEPI recyclability framework provides practical clarity. It replaces broad recyclability statements with measurable performance indicators, improving credibility across the value chain and supporting more informed packaging decisions.

At Vela, this approach aligns with how sustainability is addressed across the brand: as a system-level responsibility rather than a marketing claim. By focusing on solutions that work within existing recycling infrastructures, Vela aims to make sustainable packaging simpler and more reliable for brands looking to reduce plastic without adding operational complexity.

From framework to application

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Recyclability frameworks matter when they are translated into consistent product-level decisions. In practice, this means applying recognised methodologies to real packaging solutions and using the results to guide design, material choice, and communication.

Vela adopts this approach by assessing its paper-based bag solutions against established recyclability frameworks, including CEPI-aligned methodologies. These evaluations help ensure that recyclability is not treated as an abstract attribute, but as a functional requirement that aligns with existing recycling infrastructures.

This approach sits within Vela’s broader sustainability framework, which focuses on fully recyclable paper-based solutions and is supported by recognised certifications that bring clarity and consistency across markets. By presenting product information and recyclability credentials transparently across its packaging solutions, Vela supports brands in making informed packaging decisions that are practical, compliant, and scalable.