March 23, 2018

76% recycling rate in Germany

Approximately 175,000 tonnes of beverage cartons are produced for the German market every year. This equates to an amount of approx. 2 kilograms per capita per year.
Since the introduction of the Dual Systems framework (1991), almost 3 million tonnes of beverage cartons have been recycled.
This has been achieved through numerous activities by beverage carton manufacturers on a national and international scale. In addition to the promotion of innovative recycling processes, collection and sorting of used beverage cartons throughout Europe has steadily improved.

Ambitious – but achievable

An ambition that pays off! And with the new packaging law coming into force in the coming year, a separate rate for beverage cartons has been fixed. By 2022 at the latest, a recycling rate of 80% is compulsory.

The 7 Lives of Pure-Pak® cartons:

For paper recycling, the long and tear-resistant cellulose fibers of our beverage cartons are optimally suited. As a result of their high quality, these can be recycled up to 6 times. New boxes for pizza, eggs or shoes can be made from the used beverage cartons.

Recycling - How it works!

Beverage cartons are comprehensively covered by the Dual Systems collecting containers: In the sorting facilities, they are seperated from other valuable substances into their own section using an infrared scanner with a high degree of sorting accuracy
In the recycling plants, the first step is to crush the packaging.
IThe chopped-up material dissolves in the 30-metre long metal cylinder, with a diameter of 3 metres. The paper seperates from the aluminium PE coating and the symthetic closures - completely natural and without chemicals.
The pulp is pushed through the small holes in the drum wall, cleaned, thickened and pumped into the paper machine.
After just two and a half hours, the pulp is seperate again and available for reuse, for example in pizza and shoe boxes or egg cartons.
What is left:

Plastic and aluiminium can be used as fuel
Plastic can be used for the production of new plastic products
Aluminium can be used as a hardening agend in ceement

Beverage carton recycling companies in Germany

In Germany, ReCarton, a 100% subsidiary of the Fachverband Kartonverpackungen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel e.V. (FKN - the trade association focused on carton packaging for liquid food products), functions as a contractor for the nine Dual Systems companies now in existence.
ReCarton signs recycling contracts with paper factories and takes responsibility for the management of logistics as well as the delivery of “volume flow records” to state ministries for environmental protection.
Recyclingbetriebe Deutschland ReCarton
Standorte Recyclingbetriebe
Pure-Pak® Sense Website
Beverage Carton Recycling Video
Benefit Wellness, UK
Product:
Pure-Pak® Sense Aseptic

British health juice manufacturer The Benefit Brand brings fruity freshness and valuable vitamins to everyday life with a new drink. Filling in Elopak’s sustainable Pure-Pak® Sense Aseptic carton guarantees the highest quality. Mango, passion fruit, and carrot strengthen the immune system, reduce fatigue, and help regulate hormones.

Marks & Spencer, Ireland
Product:
Pure-Pak® Sense Aseptic

In Ireland, the Marks & Spencer retail chain is launching an apple and ginger drink in Elopak’s Pure-Pak® Sense Aseptic carton. The 1-liter beverage carton contains seven apples and one ginger root. Pure-Pak® cartons preserve the effect of the natural ingredients and ensure lasting freshness with every sip.

Änglamark, Norway
Product:
Pure-Pak® Sense Natural White Board

Up to 14% fewer greenhouse gas emissions: Rørosmeieriet’s Änglamark organic milk has been available throughout Norway in the Coop supermarket chain’s 1000ml Pure-Pak® Natural White Board packaging since June 2025.

CLUN, Spain
Product:
Pure-Pak® Sense Natural Brown Board

ÚNICLA A2 has been available in Spain since January 2025, packaged in 1000ml aseptic Pure-Pak® Sense cartons with Natural Brown Board. With this product launch, CLUN reaffirms its goal of producing the highest quality milk by combining innovation with sustainability and animal welfare, thereby strengthening its brand’s premium position.