Packaging materials and supplies

Herb pot packaged 100 per cent plastic-free

Innovation with a pilot function: REWE and ECF Farmsystems are testing new product packaging and are dispensing with the funnel-shaped plastic bag (sleeve) and plastic pot for the so-called capital basil.

15 May 2020

The capital's basil produced in Berlin is now packaged 100 per cent plastic-free. (Image: REWE)

REWE and ECF Farmsystems are testing new approaches to product packaging. The so-called capital city basil produced in Berlin is now packaged 100 per cent plastic-free. Both the funnel-shaped plastic bag (sleeve) and the plastic pot are being dispensed with.

The capital basil is used instead packed exclusively in recycled paper. The customer can cut the bag along the printed cutting lines and remove the Paper recycling bag becomes a pot substitute.

Substituting plastic bags saves around 2.1 tonnes of plastic per year. In addition, the elimination of plastic pots saves around 5.1 tonnes of plastic per year. The capital city basil is available in 280 REWE stores in Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The innovation has Pilot functionIf the new packaging method is accepted by customers and proves itself in practice, it can be expected to be used for other herb pots and throughout Germany.

The capital city basil is available in 280 REWE stores in Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. (Image: REWE)

Proven cooperation

ECF Farmsystems plans and builds aquaponic farm systems. REWE and ECF Farmsystems tested new ways of transport packaging back in 2017. Thanks to the No plastic watering trays This has saved six tonnes of plastic waste per year in the case of capital city basil. Building on this experience, REWE also dispensed with the transport irrigation trays for other products available nationwide, thus saving 90 tonnes of plastic per year for potted herbs alone.

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Since the beginning of 2017, REWE and the Berlin-based start-up ECF Farmsystems have been committed to a Holistic and environmentally friendly process for the production of perch and basilAquaponics. The breeding of cichlids in the heart of Berlin is combined with the cultivation of herbs - because these are optimally fertilised by the nutrient-rich water from the fish farm. From fish feed and plant fertiliser to basil and perch in the supermarket, there is a seamless production cycle in the heart of the capital. At the same time, local cultivation shortens transport routes and cold chains for greater sustainability and freshness[/infotext].