The scope of COCET
What’s the point of COCET?
Since the roll out of the simplified sorting process in France, the sorting of household packaging in sorting centres has become more complex, and the need to better understand the challenges and find solutions for improved sorting has become clearer. COCET was created to study the sorting of household packaging, regardless of the materials it is made of.
The scope of COCET’s action
COCET studies all household packaging and graphic paper to be disposed of in the selective sorting bin. This involves the paper/cardboard, plastic and metal packaging families.
COCET carries out its studies according to test protocols. These protocols help to assess the sorting behaviour of packaging from when it enters the selective sorting bin until it leaves the sorting centre, including the transport of packaging waste.
The objective of the tests conducted is to understand the impact of elements that disrupt sorting and the pollution challenges of other recycling streams.
The results and findings are presented in the form of COCET Notices, which inform manufacturers about the eco-design measures to consider in order to improve the sorting of the packaging in question.
1 to find out more about the simplification of the sorting process in France (in French): https://www.citeo.com/le-mag/simplification-du-tri-en-france-fait-le-point
The activities of COCET
COCET’s work focuses on the sorting stages in sorting centres. It should be combined with the work carried out by the materials committees (COTREP for plastic packaging, CEREC for paper/cardboard packaging, ALUTREC for flexible aluminium packaging, COTREM for rigid metal packaging) to gain a comprehensive overview of the recyclability issues of the packaging being studied. The law states that packaging can be considered recyclable if it has a collection system in place at national level and if it is properly sorted and recycled. COCET cooperates with the materials committees to ensure that the work is coordinated efficiently.