In our daily processes and procedures, we have been striving for years to reduce waste and to procure or use goods and operating materials in a resource-saving and sustainable manner. As far as technically possible, we continuously replace consumables and packaging material with environmentally friendly alternatives. The constant dialogue with suppliers, partners and customers is part of our daily work and in line with our ecological responsibility.
Besides this, we have a very positive attitude towards the issue of sustainability on account of our goods: Preserving, fermenting, homemade products and baking in jars reduce packaging waste, lower global transport costs, jars and bottles are durable and reusable. If damaged, they can be simply and easily returned to the recycling cycle. Incidentally, the same applies to metal packaging, which has the highest recycling rate in Germany (see below). Commercially used plastic packaging is also fed back into the material cycle (with particular attention paid to packaging law). In addition, many of our suppliers already offer packaging made of regrind or recyclate as well as "ocean plastic".
We also complement well known “consumer goods” like WECK jars e.g. with stainless steel handles to make sustainable cups and cocktail glasses or by adding FSC wooden lids to jars to make attractive storage vessels for use at home or for “packaging-free shopping”. This, too, is an active contribution to reducing disposable products and to putting sustainable awareness into practice through actual products.
In addition, the source material (tinplate = tinned sheet steel) is sustainable and often recyclable. Most metal packaging can be recycled as a so-called secondary raw material to create something new from metal - without loss of quality, i.e. without downcycling. Metal packaging has the highest recycling rate of all packaging materials. Packaging steel is 91% recycled in Germany and 80.5% in Europe (source: www.metallverpackungen.de)
Re-usability
Today almost 100% of household packaging in Germany is reused. Of this, 56% is recycled and reprocessed as secondary raw materials. Just 20 years ago, the recycling quota was around 3%.
Material efficiency
Compared to 1991, plastic packaging is now a good 25% lighter. At the same time, its performance has been increased. To replace plastic with other packaging materials, it would be necessary to use four times the amount of material.
Product protection
Optimised plastic packaging reduces food waste in the retail trade. In the non-food sector, too, plastic packaging ensures fewer losses during transport and storage, thus saving valuable environmental resources.
Consumer protection
Plastic packaging protects its contents from spoilage and damage and ensures quality, durability and hygiene. Conversely, UN hazardous goods packaging can protect the environment from toxic or highly flammable contents. Tamper-evident closures on plastic packaging serve to protect against theft and plagiarism.
Microplastic/Macroplastic
According to a study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental Technology in Oberhausen, 446,000 tons of plastic emissions are produced annually. These consist of 26% macroplastics (larger plastic parts, such as plastic bags or other larger plastic waste) and 74% microplastics.
Causes/sources of microplastics
You can find the complete study here:
Source: Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental Technology in Oberhausen
