Packaging 360

In einem Pilotprojekt verwendet Henkel für die Blisterhauben des Reinigungsproduktes „WC Frisch Kraft Aktiv Pro Nature Pack“ jetzt erstmals 100 Prozent Post Consumer Rezyklat (PCR) aus dem Gelben Sack. Das verwendete PCR besteht zu über 80 Prozent aus recycelten PET-Schalen (Trays), die beispielsweise für Lebensmittel verwendet und bisher standardmäßig nicht wiederaufbereitet werden.

On 6 November, the German Government introduced a ban on plastic bags. These are the "embodiment of resource wastage", said Environment Minister Svenja Schulze. Thin bags for fruit and vegetables are excluded from the ban. For a long time, the federal government relied on voluntary reduction of plastic use. Now a law is to tighten up the measures.

The Ammerland Dairy in Wiefelstede-Dringenburg gives top priority to species-appropriate cow husbandry and sustainable packaging. The Pure-Pak® Sense board with Natural Brown Board is completely based on renewable raw materials, because the polyethylene in the closure and board is also wood-based; coming from Nordic forests, it is made from tall oil, a residue from pulp and paper production.

The football club FC Bayern Munich has received the Reusable Award from the European REUSE Conference for its switch to reusable cups for drinks at home matches in the Allianz Arena. The award ceremony took place at the end of the REUSE Conference in Brussels.

For several years, a network of researchers and practitioners in Austria has been working on the question of how packaging reduces food waste – an important, albeit still little-illuminated, aspect for assessing the sustainability of packaging. The results will surprise some people. „Stop Waste – Save Food“: Under this motto, a network of partners from science, packaging and the food industry has come together in Austria to investigate whether and how packaging helps to avoid food waste.

Online fashion retailer Zalando has reported a satisfactory 2021 and plans to invest further in sustainable strategies. Zalando generated sales of 10.35 billion euros in the 2021 fiscal year, reporting a net profit of 235 million euros. Total assets amounted to 6.90 billion euros, with an equity ratio of 32.18 percent.

In the future, Lego will no longer be packaged in small plastic bags. By 2025, the toy is to be packaged only in paper and cardboard. Lego bricks are specially designed to be reused for many generations. However, the boxes and other packaging of the popular play material are often disposed of too quickly, explains the manufacturer Lego. „Some of our packaging contains single-use plastic, which today is not sustainable or, in some cases, not recyclable.

To close the loop for plastic packaging, 51 partners are participating in a new AI application hub. Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the measure aims to improve the sustainability of plastic packaging along the entire value chain by establishing two innovation labs. Packaging accounts for by far the largest share of plastic waste worldwide.

By 2025, 100 percent of Henkel's packaging is to be recyclable or reusable. The use of fossil plastics will be reduced by 50 percent, and as far as possible, no more plastic put into circulation by Henkel will be released into the environment. With the new targets, Henkel wants to support the development towards a circular economy – this means that packaging materials remain in the industrial cycles as long as possible.