Global Recycling Day: How a Yogurt Cup Truly Becomes Circular

Plastic is a valuable raw material that offers the best solution for packaging in many areas. However, it must be used responsibly to protect the environment and conserve resources. “My work focuses on tackling this challenge by working with my team to close material loops,” explains Konrad Wasserbauer. This means considering the entire lifecycle of packaging - from design to use and ultimately to recycling. 

His approach is based on designing packaging in a way that allows it to be optimally recycled at the end of its lifecycle. The processability of recycled materials under strict food safety regulations also plays a crucial role. 

For a yogurt cup to truly become circular, several key steps are required, involving all stakeholders along the value chain. A fundamental requirement is designing packaging according to the “Design for Recycling” guidelines. This means developing packaging in a way that allows it to be easily and efficiently recycled at the end of its lifecycle. This can be achieved by using mono-materials or easily separable components that facilitate the recycling process. 

However, design is just the beginning. Improving recycling technologies and optimizing collection systems are also crucial to making recycling even more effective. Technologies such as AI-based object recognition or digital watermarks help to better sort packaging and increase recycling rates. Equally important is collaboration among all stakeholders - from manufacturers and retailers to consumers. Only if everyone works together can packaging be properly disposed of and returned to the cycle. Another important step is educating consumers so they know how to correctly dispose of their packaging and thus support the recycling process. 

Recycling is one of the most important levers on the path to a circular economy and a central component of Greiner Packaging’s sustainability strategy. This strategy is based on three pillars: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Recycling efforts go hand in hand with reducing material use and promoting reusable solutions. 

A milestone on this journey is the company’s own recycling plant in Serbia. “Through our own recycling facility, we secure high-quality recyclates for our products and contribute to reducing the use of virgin plastics,” says Konrad Wasserbauer. At the same time, Greiner Packaging invests in research and development to further improve recycling technologies. 

Another important initiative is the coffee capsule recycling project with Altstoff Recycling Austria (ARA). Here, used plastic capsules are efficiently collected, sorted, and returned to the recycling loop. By expanding recycling infrastructure and implementing targeted awareness measures for consumers, it is ensured that these packages do not end up in residual waste but are preserved as valuable resources. 

A key driver for a functioning circular economy is the increased use of recycled materials. By integrating high-quality recyclates into packaging, Greiner Packaging reduces the demand for virgin plastic and conserves valuable resources. This not only helps lower the carbon footprint but also closes the material loop. Particularly in the food sector, it is essential that recycled materials meet the highest quality and safety standards—an area where continuous research and investment are taking place. 

One example of the successful combination of Reduce and Recycle is the innovative K3® r100 packaging. This cardboard-plastic combination separates itself during waste collection: The stabilizing cardboard wrap detaches from the thin-walled plastic cup, ensuring that both materials enter the correct recycling streams during sorting. This significantly improves the recyclability of the packaging while also reducing material usage. 

In the Reuse segment, Greiner Packaging offers sustainable alternatives to single-use packaging. The Mix & Match Mealbox is a durable reusable solution for the foodservice industry, designed to be used multiple times and recycled at the end of its life. Similarly, reusable drinking cups contribute to reducing single-use waste.