From: Packaging News

Mondi and Werner & Mertz are launching a ‘fully’ recyclable pouch with detachable decorative panels.

The pouch replaces conventional flexible packaging for Frosch products.

The design overcomes many shortcomings of the recycling process and is the result of a joint effort by Werner & Mertz, Mondi, EPEA Switzerland (Cradle to Cradle), Der Grüne Punkt – Duales System Deutschland and Institut cyclos-HTP.

Failure to sort the collected packaging into material streams that recyclers can use leads to down-cycling – that is, the production of recycled material no longer suitable for its original application.

“If you want to avoid a ‘garbage in, garbage out’ scenario,” said Immo Sander, head of packaging development, Werner & Mertz Group, “the entire value chain must be aligned – from packaging producers through players in sorting and recycling to buyers of recycled material.

“We dress the pouch up in an eye-catching ‘outer garment’ that is printed with brand design on the front and consumer info on the back. When the pouch is empty, we ‘undress’ it automatically by shredding and sorting the two components into separate recycling streams.”

Mondi said the patented pouch is 100% recyclable, the material is free of glue or adhesive, the spout and cap are also made of polyethylene.