Initiative Grey –
Jokey Plastik calls for the use of recycled plastics.

The Jokey Group, an internationally operating packaging manufacturer, appeals to bottlers and consumers to prefer packaging made of recycled material. The aim of Jokey’s initiative “Grey is the new green” is to promote the use of secondary raw materials even more.

A functioning circular economy is needed for the sustainable disposal of plastic waste. As a result, the German Packaging Act (VerpackG), which will come into force in 2019, requires the recycling rate in Germany to be increased to 63 per cent from 2022. Jokey recommends that manufacturers and bottlers support this development now by using recycled plastic packaging. Jokey has been manufacturing packaging from so-called secondary raw materials since the 1990s and has already been able to win over major brand owners. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of broad market acceptance of the grey-coloured packaging, even though the recycled plastic is almost as good as new plastic.

Recycled plastics for non-food packaging

Secondary raw materials are obtained from recycled plastic waste. This comes from household collections, for example from the yellow bin. Secondary raw materials are not used for the production of food packaging. However, the non-food sector offers a wide range of applications: in particular, paints, varnishes and other construction chemicals can be easily packaged in recycling buckets.

Grey in colour – green in effect

The recycled plastic is just as robust, leak-proof and durable as new plastic. It is also equally suitable as an advertising medium: “Processes such as in-mould labelling and digital printing are excellent for decorating the grey material. The entire container and lid can be printed over the full surface in photorealistic quality,” says Michael Schmitz, Head of Marketing and Communication at Jokey. The only part that cannot be decorated is the edge of the container.

Michael Schmitz is convinced: “Grey is the new green. We are sure that the responsible consumer will choose recycled packaging if given the choice.” This sustainable behaviour is even cost-neutral. “The consumer needs to be informed, then the change in thinking will happen all by itself,” says Schmitz. He therefore recommends that manufacturers advertise the recycling buckets by placing targeted information on the product packaging.

More at Jokey Eco Concept

Contact:
Michael Schmitz
Manager – Marketing und Kommunikation Jokey Group
Michael.Schmitz@jokey.com
+49 2267 685-1123