Recycled Plastic Packaging
View Products100% Recyclable Material
At Staeger we take our environmental responsibilities seriously. Not only is our packaging 100% recyclable, it is also made from recycled plastic.
Our material of choice for our customers is rPET – that is recycled polyethylene terephthalate – with a 60% post-consumer waste content. In other words, we source most of our material from old plastic water bottles and plastic carrier bags found at recycling collection centres, rather than producing 100% brand new plastic – virgin plastic. rPET is a sandwich of two virgin layers on the outside (2 x 20%) and 60% Post-consumer waste in the middle. This ensures that we’re not majorly increasing the overall levels of plastic on our planet. It also means that we’re minimising our emissions as the energy it takes to produce rPET material compared to virgin PET material is a ⅓ lower.
Once produced our recycled plastic packaging can then be widely recycled. We ensure we’re being environmentally responsible throughout all stages of our products’ life-cycle. And we’re constantly searching for cleaner and better methods of production.
In this way, we ensure that our packaging is not only protecting our clients’ product but that it’s also protecting the welfare of our planet.
Minimising our Impact
60% rPET: The Perfect Balance
Our feedstock in 2000 was PVC, but once we became Marks and Spencer approved in 2004, we converted to APET & then to RPET. PVC was poor for the environment on disposal and there was no end market. On the other hand, PET was much sought after for the new water bottle industry. It made sense to change to PET as the material of choice for recycling.
Why only 60% post- consumer waste and not 100%?
There are a number of reasons a) The virgin layers created a functional barrier between the packed food and the waste PET and thus is considered to be safer. Having said that though, the waste PET is super cleaned prior to extrusion and is extremely safe anyway! b) The clarity of the pack improves with less post-consumer waste inserted. A carton made up of 100% PCW is quite dark! c) The integrity of the PET is improved with an addition of virgin polymer. Every time PET is extruded (moves around the recycling system) it breaks down the polymer chains until eventually the PET becomes so brittle it is useless. So, the addition of some virgin each time keeps the mechanical properties without the need for expensive solid-state polymerisation prior to re-extrusion. In summary without this addition, the RPET would not be able to be recycled 7/8 times!
Eco-Friendly Packaging Experts