Transformation of the recyclers (III): EKO point

A closed-loop recycling economy is still a challenge for distributors of packaging. However, there are now dual systems that take the idea of recycling one step further and whose services go beyond collection, sorting and recycling. These include EKO-Punkt, the dual system from Remondis. As a competence centre for packaging, the expert supports its customers along the packaging process chain.

As a sustainability service provider in the packaging sector EKO point is anything but a newcomer. The recycling expert was already active as Remondis' dual system until 2014, but then withdrew from the market. From the company's perspective, the framework conditions for a fair supplier market were still lacking at the time of the transition from monopoly to competition. These conditions were created with the new Packaging Act introduced in 2019 and the introduction of the Central Agency Packaging Register. Consequently, the decision was made 2022, as a provider under the Remondis umbrella to return.

This makes EKO-Punkt one of ten dual systems currently on the market. In view of Declining packaging volumes - a thoroughly desirable trend - competition today is fair but fierce and often centred on price. In order to stand out in this environment, the company is positioning itself as a Competence centre for packaging with a strong focus on sustainability. The services go far beyond packaging licensing: from knowledge transfer and compliance services to the supply of recycled raw materials and advice on eco-design. „Our aim is to support customers from industry and retail in a spirit of partnership and to enable them to utilise the drive forward circular packaging management“, says Stefan Munz, Head of Innovation and Sustainability at EKO-Punkt.

EKO-Punkt is backed by Remondis, one of the leading service providers for recycling, municipal and industrial services and water management in Germany and Europe. „This means that we are right at the source and can draw on the existing infrastructure and modern facilities as well as the Group's many years of experience,“ says Munz. This includes the Development and operation of take-back systems, the processing of recyclable materials and the production of high-quality raw materials. As a competence centre for packaging with access to Remondis' structures, EKO-Punkt bundles everything that the Group has been doing for years into one offer: collecting, sorting, recycling and sustainable design.

Challenges of the PPWR

Topics such as the Procurement of recyclates and „design for recycling“ are now more pressing than ever for distributors of packaging. This is because the European Packaging Ordinance (PPWR) stipulates strict quotas for the use of recyclates and the recyclability of packaging from 2030. Moreover, it is probably only a matter of time before the German legislator also sets more binding requirements for recyclability with the long-awaited amendment to Section 21 of the German Packaging Act (VerpackG).

„The requirements of the PPWR are challenging,“ summarises Munz. According to the market research institute Conversio (September 2023), it would be necessary to almost quadruple the current quantities of recyclate used in plastic packaging in order to achieve the target of up to 35 per cent set out in the PPWR, depending on the type of packaging.

„You don't have to be a prophet to predict how this will affect the recyclate market. Post-consumer recyclates in particular will be in high demand in the coming years. The existing undersupply of this scarce commodity will foreseeably worsen as a result.“

Stefan Munz

Avoid recyclate bottlenecks

This is exactly where EKO-Punkt comes in with its Circular contracting„ contract model“ and thus offers its customers the opportunity to protect themselves against future recyclate shortages. Circular Contracting combines the statutory licensing obligation with the contractually secured supply of high-quality post-consumer recyclates, even in the long term. In return for their packaging licensed with EKO-Punkt, customers receive a corresponding volume equivalent of high-quality recyclable materials. These are developed and provided by the Remondis subsidiary RE Plano.

„The recyclates that we supply are the best in their Composition precisely tailored to the customer's requirements and production and have the required quality to replace the primary raw materials previously used for the production of packaging - even if the recyclates are not plastic pellets but metals or paper fibres,“ explains Munz. The packaging specialist also organises the supply of recyclates for companies that are not licensing customers.

Partner for packaging testing and strategy

The PPWR also sets out specific regulations for the recyclability of packaging. „In order to make their packaging fit for the future and avoid additional costs in the future, distributors of packaging should already have a inventory of their product range and, on this basis, set targets for its optimisation. define,“ advises Munz. EKO-Punkt also provides support here: all the tests required to define recyclability can be carried out. In addition to NIR tests, which are possible on the basis of the Remondis Group's state-of-the-art sorting and recording technology, this also includes chemical-physical analyses if required. In addition to laboratory testing, online testing is also available using the PackLab tool. This is the quickest and easiest way to have the recyclability of packaging assessed cost-effectively. In just a few minutes, companies can create a digital twin of their packaging by entering a few details. The evaluation is done at the click of a mouse. The costs of a future eco-modulation fees can be simulated with an integrated fund calculator.

On request, EKO-Punkt also supports its customers in the development and implementation of a packaging strategy. To this end, the company submits specific proposals for recyclates or alternative materials that can be used to improve the eco-balance of the packaging.

Deliberate renunciation of own recycling labels

For these efforts to bear fruit, however, it must be ensured that recyclable packaging actually ends up in the yellow bin after use. To make it easier for consumers to assess the environmental impact of packaging and separate their waste correctly in future, the PPWR is writing a Series of regulations on packaging labelling which will be partly mandatory and partly optional throughout the EU.

„This is an important step in the right direction. There is currently a colourful landscape of reputable labels and fantasy seals, which leads to a great lack of orientation for consumers. They can no longer clearly recognise whether packaging is recyclable, made from recyclate or how it should be disposed of. We therefore expressly welcome the European Parliament's decision to introduce mandatory labelling throughout the EU.“

Stefan Munz

However, the current regulation still leaves many questions unanswered, such as what the new regulation means for existing seals and labels, which distributors often affix to their packaging voluntarily and in some cases for a fee.

„Optional labelling and seals with inconsistent information that can only be found on some of the packaging have potential, Confuse or even mislead consumers“, Munz is certain. In order to set a good example and avoid misunderstandings, EKO-Punkt has therefore refrained from printing its own recycling labels on packaging since the beginning of the year.

http://www.eko-punkt.de