Germany ranks among the international trailblazers in recycling. But with the new EU packaging regulation (PPWR), the requirements for companies and consumers rise significantly. By 2030, at least 55 percent of all plastic packaging must be recycled. To achieve the ambitious goals of the circular economy, technological innovations are needed as well as simple, reliable information for everyday life.
The Green Dot, according to its own statements, relies on an interplay of technical solutions, consumer communication and advisory services to improve the recyclability of packaging. But only what is correctly directed to the separate collection can be fed by the following sorting and recovery steps into material recycling. Despite intensive awareness-raising, according to the Federal Environment Agency, around 30 percent of all packaging waste still ends up in residual waste and thus escapes the recycling loop.
Only correct separation enables proper sorting
Even correctly disposed packaging in the Yellow Bin or Yellow Sack is not automatically well-recyclable. A classic example is the yogurt cup: Only when the lid is completely separated from the cup
can the material be recycled efficiently. Such details illustrate how important product-specific guidance at the component level is—ideally location-based, because the disposal reality in this country is anything but uniform.
To assist consumers with clear guidance, Der Grüne Punkt, together with Digi-Cycle, brings the digital Sorting Guide “DigiDot” to Germany. The principle is quite simple: Through the website digi-dot.info or the Digi-Cycle app, consumers can search for products to receive regionally appropriate sorting and disposal information at the component level. Already now, according to Der Grüne Punkt, information on more than 1,000 types of waste and around 50,000 brand products as well as internationally more than 250,000 collection points can be retrieved.
In the future, the solution will be even more user-friendly: On packaging, manufacturers can attach the “DigiDot” QR code, which can be scanned directly with the smartphone browser – no app required. Within a few seconds, consumers receive precise, location-specific information on the correct sorting and disposal of the respective packaging. The guidance is already available in several languages today and can
optionally be supplemented with further product-specific information.
Retail partners
According to a press release from Der Grüne Punkt, some retail and FMCG companies are already supporting the project by providing sorting instructions for their products. Mondelez International, Danone and Nespresso have been partners from the outset. Lena Berkemeyer, Senior Brand Manager Sustainability DACH at Mondelez International, explains:
„As our products are used daily in millions of households, it is important to us to reduce packaging, improve their quality, and drive the circular economy. Already today, around 96 percent of our packaging is recyclable. With the digital Sorting Guide we want to make daily life easier for our consumers and give them the opportunity to make an active contribution to the circular economy.“
„Danone Germany is one of the leading manufacturers of foods and medical nutrition in the DACH region, operating in four business areas: fresh dairy, plant-based products, natural mineral water and soft drinks, as well as early childhood and medical nutrition. Driven by the mission to improve health for as many people as
possible through food, Danone has set itself the goal of encouraging healthier and more sustainable eating and drinking habits while at the same time having a positive impact on nutrition, society and the environment“, says Nadine Schenk, General Secretary, Danone DACH.
Also involved is Nespresso, a brand of the Nestlé group, known for its portioned coffee capsules and coffee machines.
„As Nespresso, we not only want to offer exceptional coffee enjoyment, but also stand as an innovation driver for responsibility. Therefore we are involved in the digital Sorting Guide to show how our capsules can be disposed of correctly and thus recycled. The simple disposal via the Yellow Bin is particularly easy for our customers in Germany,“ explains Sven Matika, Sustainability Manager at Nespresso.
„With the digital Sorting Guide we fundamentally improve consumer behavior,“ says Denis Völler, Managing Director of Der Grüne Punkt. Digi-Cycle also sees the step as a milestone: “Recycling must begin where the decision is made – with the product in the hands of the consumer,” says Felix Badura, Managing Director,
