Sustainable packaging made from plastic

The requirements are diverse

We have talked to takeaways, customers, cities and many more. The requirements are very diverse. Our reCIRCLEs should be shatterproof, close tightly, be dishwasher and microwave safe, durable and not cause any injuries if the product breaks.

Choosing the material for our sustainable packaging

With these requirements in mind, we set out to find a suitable material. We researched, analysed and tested. In the process, we learned a few things and drew our conclusions:

Glass is heavy, breaks quickly and production consumes a lot of energy. Glass is difficult to stack and gets so hot that it cannot be touched. Did you know that heat-resistant glass, i.e. tempered glass, is not recyclable?

Aluminium and chrome stainless steel are not microwaveable. That alone is a killer criterion. It conducts heat, which is why it would have to be double-walled. This in turn makes it expensive and uses too much material. It is also difficult to make the containers properly tight. You need clips or a silicone rim, but they are not hygienic because germs and bacteria can hide behind them.

Compostable materials are neither machine-washable nor durable. Wood (fibre) also belongs in this category.

It does not make sense to produce bioplastics from foodstuffs because plastics made from renewable raw materials (palm leaves, bamboo or potato peels) contain additives. These substances often contain substances that are harmful to health. Biodegradable is not the same as compostable. Today, bioplastics are often thrown into the compost, which can destroy the entire collection.

Ocean Bound Plastic is made up of numerous, different types of plastic and is enormously expensive to recycle. This material is not an option at this stage. We are keeping it in mind for the future, in case a closed-loop recycling becomes possible for our sustainable packaging.

Reusable and recyclable plastic ideal for reCIRCLEs

Plastic does not break, is recyclable, durable, lightweight, microwaveable, machine-washable and affordable. To date, it is the only material that meets all the requirements for ecological reusable packaging with gastronomy standards. Even though it is currently still made from petroleum, it is the only valid alternative.