M&S tracks plastic’s afterlife with invisible UV packaging tags

UK - Marks & Spencer has become the first UK retailer to launch recyclable milk bottle packaging featuring invisible UV tags, marking a significant step toward smarter sustainability.

Developed by recycling tech firm Polytag, the tags – applied to the labels of M&S’s four-pint milk bottles – enable real-time tracking of packaging as it moves through the recycling system.

This innovation is supported by Polytag’s Plastic Detection Units, which have been rolled out at the UK’s highest volume recycling plants through the Ecotrace Programme.

The technology gives M&S barcode-level visibility into when, where and how much of its plastic is recycled – critical data for Extended Producer Responsibility compliance. The system aims to increase traceability and boost closed-loop recycling – a milestone for companies that are seeking insight and accountability in circular design.

Our Designing for Extinction report forecast how circularity will define the next era of sustainability. Discover more market-leading insight and analysis in our Sustainability series.