Our Cooperation Partners
The Recyclate Initiative works toward greater sustainability in waste management and genuine plastic recycling from the Yellow Bag collection system. It adheres to a closed loop principle in which production of plastic packaging forgoes the use of crude oil. Instead, plastic from the Yellow Bag is processed into such high quality material that it can serve as the basis of packaging for foodstuffs.
Yet another innovation in the Recyclate Initiative is the use of a cross-industry supply chain. Together with its partners, Werner & Mertz develops innovative solutions and works in business associations, in the media and politics for an effective circular economy for plastic.
Frosch
Since 1986 the green Frosch brand has been on the market—an eco pioneer from the start. Frosch distinguishes itself by linking cleaning performance with outstanding environmental protection in products that are affordable for the general public and not for a niche market. The focus is on integral sustainability—from energy usage and transport routes to formulas and packaging. Frosch was the first brand in the cleaning products industry to use plastic from the Yellow Bag for its packaging and has repeatedly set new standards for the use of recycled plastic.
ALPLA
ALPLA, one of the leading companies in plastic packaging, has a global workforce of 20,800 at 178 locations in 46 countries. The company manufactures custom-made packaging systems, bottles, caps and injection molded parts. The PET Recycling Team Wolfen GmbH operates ALPLA’s own recycling facilities in Austria and Poland and joint ventures in Germany and Mexico. Since 2014 ALPLA and Werner & Mertz have been working together on optimizing the use of rPET from the Yellow Bag. Their efforts have been successful. The fully recycled PET bottles from Frosch now consist of 75% used plastic obtained from the Yellow Bag.
PreZero
PreZero, which was officially established as the Environmenal Division of the Schwarz Group in 2019, is today an international disposal and recycling company with about 30,000 employees in 10 countries. PreZero actively supports the circular economy by making sure that waste is returned as valuable raw material to the economic cycle. The company works in the areas of waste management, recycling, consulting and logistics for industrial, trade and public sector customers and supports them in using resources efficiently and achieving their sustainability goals. As a raw materials provider, PreZero already works with Werner & Mertz. As a result of their success, the two companies are entering into a closer partnership in order to close other recycling loops, ensure ongoing supplies of raw materials, and accelerate knowledge transfer within the industy with the help of digitalization of packaging data.
Mondi
Mondi is a global leader in the packaging and paper industry. With a strong commitment to sustainability and innovation, Mondi offers its customers tailor-made solutions that are efficient and environmentally friendly. Mondi is fully integrated across the packaging and paper value chain—from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and plastic films, to developing and manufacturing high-quality packaging for industrial and consumer packaging. In collaboration with Mondi, Werner & Mertz brought the world’s first completely recyclable pouch of a monomaterial to the market.
NABU
For more than 120 years, NABU (Nature And Biodiversity Conservation Union) has been working for the protection of Nature and the environment. The non-governmental organization, one of the oldest and largest environment associations in Germany, is committed to conserving biological diversity, protecting natural habitats and making people more aware of the beauty and value of Nature. NABU has a special interest in promoting the circular economy, which is seen as the key to sustainable handling of resources. In cooperation with politics and business, NABU works to make products more resource-efficient and long-lasting.
NABU supports the Recyclate Initiative with its expertise.
How do we avert the catastrophe?
From German swamps to the Amazonian rainforest, humans are driving the planet’s eco systems to the brink of collapse. No one knows that better than NABU President Jörg-Andreas Krüger. During a Talk on the Red Couch, he discussed global envionmental crises and the benefits of the circular economy.