Design for Recycling, Circular Economy, Sustainability

Design for Recycling: New guideline gives clarity

19/08/2020 | 2 min read

Charlotte Enzelsberger

The benefits of packaging can be summed up in just a few words:

It protects the product,
catches consumers’ attention with an attractive appearance, and
supports efficient transport of the product.

One of the characteristics of packaging that has gained increasing significance in recent months due to the growing debate regarding sustainability is its recyclability. Given that more and more people are talking about the potential for a circular economy – and the fact that Greiner Packaging is also making concerted efforts to drive this approach forward – it will be necessary to design more packaging solutions that are easy to recycle.

The plastics experts have responded by focusing on this issue in recent months, leading to the creation of their own Design for Recycling Guideline. This guideline contains all the relevant information regarding packaging characteristics – such as material, colors, or shape – that are advantageous in the recycling process. This way, key factors can be considered right at the beginning of the design process, and customers can be provided with comprehensive information on the advantages and disadvantages of the packaging projects they’re planning.

Recyclability is a topic that’s particularly important to us. We’re convinced that plastic packaging has a bright future, but we’re also aware that we have to take appropriate steps with respect to sustainability.

Manfred Stanek, CEO of Greiner Packaging

Not only does Greiner Packaging see Design for Recycling as a factor in its success as a business, but the company has also committed to ambitious measures that aim to establish a circular economy as part of its involvement with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. You can read more about the guideline in our online magazine in fall 2020.