FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Used plastics are valuable materials

They are anything but useless waste. Quite the opposite: for us, it is a valuable raw material that we can process into high-quality recyclates using modern technologies. These recyclates are then used to produce new packaging as part of a functioning circular economy.


Concentrated expertise

The recycling and production facilities WIS Kunststoffe GmbH has to offer benefit from each other's many years of expertise. The plastics processing companies know exactly what is needed to convert recycled materials into new products. Experts in product development and process engineering work hand in hand with recycling experts and continuously develop materials and manufacturing processes together.

 

Why does recycling make sense?

Recycling gives used plastics added value. This promotes the establishment of an efficient collection system for recyclable materials, enables regional material cycles to be closed and promotes the further development of sustainable recycling technologies.
After all, plastics can be recycled very effectively and energy-efficiently. Recycled materials cause up to 90 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than virgin materials. And the more valuable materials are recycled, the less waste ends up in landfill or in the environment.
Recycling is therefore an essential part of a functioning circular economy

 

How much used packaging is actually recycled?

This depends above all on the recyclability of the packaging and the collection infrastructure available in the respective country. According to the European Union, around 46% of all plastic packaging in Europe was recycled in 2020, compared to just 24% in 2005. But the most important thing is that the recycled material is turned back into packaging. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, global recyclate consumption increased by around 108% between 2018 and 2021, from 4.8% to 10.0%. This may not seem like much at first glance, but you should bear in mind that this amount is kept in the very high-quality packaging cycle. This saves thousands of tons of virgin material every year. Used plastics are therefore an excellent material that needs to be sorted and recycled even more systematically. WIS Kunststoffe GmbH supports this goal worldwide with its own recycling plants and partnerships

What does plastic recycling do for the environment? Is it even worthwhile?

Recycling closes the cycle and prevents used packaging from being released into the environment. New packaging can then be produced from the recycled materials. This conserves both fossil and renewable resources as a basic material for plastics. Recycling also makes a significant contribution to climate protection. Recycled plastics cause up to 90 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than virgin material.


Why is so much plastic waste incinerated?

Plastic waste should only be incinerated if neither mechanical nor chemical recycling makes ecological or economic sense. In this case, waste incineration is better than landfill, as the heat energy of the plastics is at least used in the form of heat. Landfilling should be avoided altogether. Thanks to the worldwide development of recycling plants and the increasing improvement of sorting and recycling technologies, recycling rates are rising steadily.

 

Are recycled plastics safe or harmful to health?

The regulations are very strict, especially for food, beverage and cosmetic packaging. WIS and external partners regularly check the quality.

Why is packaging made from recycled plastic more environmentally friendly?

Scientific studies show that packaging with a high proportion of recycled plastic has less impact on the environment, as the production of recycled materials causes fewer greenhouse gas emissions than the production of virgin materials. This has a very positive effect on the ecological footprint of packaging with a high recycled content.


What does PCR stand for?

PCR is an abbreviation and stands for “post-consumer recycling”. Recycling at WIS is about the mechanical recovery of plastics after use. And by post-consumer, we mean packaging that is disposed of by end consumers (households) and then collected and pre-sorted by waste disposal companies. The packaging is then pressed into bales according to the recycling companies' specifications and transported to the recycling companies. PCR is therefore different from PIR (Post-Industrial Recycling).

 

What is the difference between mechanical and chemical recycling?

In mechanical recycling, the material is physically transformed. The structure of the polymer remains unchanged throughout the recycling process.

In chemical recycling, the material is transformed on a chemical level. For example, polymers are broken down into their monomer components and reassembled.

 

What is the “waste hierarchy”?

The waste hierarchy prioritizes waste treatment. The first priority is waste prevention, followed by reuse or treatment of the waste, for example by cleaning or repair. The next stage is recycling, followed by recovery such as incineration. And at the bottom is the use of waste for landfill, which should ideally be avoided.

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WIS Kunststoffe GmbH
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Tel.: +49 (0) 36848 / 868-0
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