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Your take-back obligations

After use, packaging must be taken back in accordance with regulations and sent for appropriate recovery. Taking back transport or sales packaging in compliance with legal requirements means you both fulfil your obligations and actively contribute to the circular economy.

From mandatory process to value-creation factor.

  • Reliable fulfilment of all take-back obligations
  • Transparent processes and documentation
  • Efficient collection and recovery
  • Flexible systems for individual requirements
  • Contribution to closed material loops

This way, you can turn take-back into a cornerstone of long-term stability for your company.

Take-back systems for packaging in a circular economy

Take-back systems are vital components of the circular economy. They ensure that packaging is not disposed of in an uncontrolled manner after use, but instead systematically collected, sorted and sent for recovery or reuse.

Goals of
the systems

Grafik mit der Zahl 37 % auf blauem Hintergrund
Take-back systems are designed to conserve resources and ensure compliance with recycling rates so that packaging can remain in circulation.

Primary function of the systems

Mitarbeitende in Sicherheitskleidung sortieren Verpackungsmaterialien auf einem Förderband
The systems organise the journey from the collection point to the sorting facility and ensure that packaging is collected and undergoes high-quality recovery.

Importance of
the systems

Gestapelte Ballen gepresster Kunststoffflaschen – Recyclingprozess zur Wiederverwertung von Plastikabfällen.
Without effective take-back systems, manufacturers cannot fulfil their responsibilities and cannot establish transparency or reliable traceability.

Necessity of
the systems

Zwei Personen geben sich die Hand – Symbol für Partnerschaft, Vertrauen und erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit im Business.
Only through close cooperation between producers, retailers and waste management companies can take-back systems function reliably and enable closed material loops.
verschiedene Arten von Verpackungen

Germany’s dual system
Take-back system for
sales packaging

Germany’s dual waste collection system is the central take-back system for sales packaging and is aimed directly at end consumers. Packaging is disposed of at or near homes in household recycling bins or bags (“gelbe Tonne” or “gelber Sack”), waste paper bins and bottle banks.

It is collected by municipal waste management companies contracted by the dual systems. The packaging is then separated in sorting plants – a resource-intensive and complex process, as the material streams are very different and technically demanding.

This is where well-connected dual systems offer clear advantages: by increasing collection and processing efficiency, they create better conditions for high-quality recycling.
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From waste to valuable resource

Take-back systems ensure that, rather than ending up in residual waste, used packaging is returned to the cycle step by step. Starting with local collection, followed by nationwide logistics right through to sorting and separating the materials, valuable resources are recovered that can be used to make new products.

1.

Local waste
disposal
Consumers put packaging into household recycling bins or bags, waste paper bins or bottle banks.

2.

Collection from
or near homes
Municipal waste management companies collect the bins and containers.

3.

Nationwide
logistics
All over Germany, the waste is bundled and transported onwards.

4.

Delivery to
sorting facilities
The collected packaging arrives at modern sorting facilities.

5.

Separation of
material streams
Plastics, glass, paper and metals are sorted in complex processes.

6.

Raw materials for
new products
The end result is compressed bales – the basis for high-quality recycling.
großer Karton, mit Umreifungsbändern auf einer Palette gesichert

B2B transport packaging

As a producer, you place transport and commercial packaging on the market – and this packaging later accumulates wherever your products finish their journey: in retail settings, with tradespeople, in logistics or with commercial customers. This often results in large, unmixed loads that can be gathered directly where they accumulate – for example, in waste compactors, pallet cages or via reverse logistics.

A professional take-back system consolidates these local collection points, organises collection and reliably returns the materials to the recycling loop. As a result, you not only fulfil your obligations efficiently, but also ensure high recycling rates and a streamlined process.

Find out more
Karton

Transport packaging is generated when goods are shipped

Producers deliver products together with the necessary packaging

Every delivery of goods generates transport packaging – from cardboard boxes to plastic film to pallets. This packaging accompanies the products to retailers, tradespeople, workshops or commercial customers.

Kartons im Container

Packaging accumulates locally at customers’ premises

Different collection points use their own storage solutions

Transport packaging is delivered to the recipient, be it a small trade business or a large warehouse. It’s gathered on the customer’s premises in skips, pallet cages or bulk bags, depending on the size and requirements of the collection point.

Container mit Kartons auf einen LKW

Collection and bundling by waste management companies

Take-back systems organise collection throughout Germany

Waste management companies regularly visit the various collection points, collect the accumulated packaging and bundle the loads centrally. This allows the decentralised streams to be efficiently consolidated and prepared for the next stage.

Abbildung Sortierung

Sorting and recycling in modern facilities

Packaging is separated and processed into usable raw materials

In sorting facilities, cardboard, plastic film and other materials are separated from each other in complex processes. This results in unmixed recoverable resources that are returned to the cycle as the basis for high-quality recycling.

Globus mit Recycling-Symbol und Aufschrift „EPR Compliance“, umgeben von Verpackungen

Take-back systems in the context of EPR compliance

Any business that places packaging on the market in multiple EU countries must comply with different national requirements. Each country manages take-back and licensing obligations independently – partly via collection from or near homes and partly via commercial collection systems. Waste management companies and other collectors then transport the packaging to sorting facilities, where it’s processed in accordance with country-specific standards.

For producers, this means that they must join approved systems, comply with recycling rates and provide country-specific evidence. As requirements vary from country to country, professional coordination is essential to ensure legal certainty and efficient processes.
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Bespoke take-back solutions and reuse systems

Standard solutions often have limitations – especially when it comes to special packaging or specific customer requirements. This is where bespoke take-back solutions come in. They give you, the producer, the opportunity to design your own circular systems, giving you active control over costs, logistics and sustainability.

In view of the upcoming PPWR, return and reuse systems in particular are growing in importance. Rather than simply being disposed of, your packaging can now be systematically returned – for example, via reverse vending machines in shops, collection points at commercial customers’ premises or your own reverse logistics.

Packaging is sorted and sent for recycling or cleaned and reused directly.

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ein Arbeiter, der im Lager arbeitet

Example of a take-back and reuse system

A producer of assembly and fastening products introduces its own reuse system for sturdy transport boxes. Retailers and tradespeople return the empty boxes to designated collection points. After cleaning, these boxes are refilled with new products and returned to the cycle.

Result:

Fewer single-use materials, lower procurement costs and a clearly visible contribution to sustainability.

By taking this approach, you can establish your own circular solution, increase efficiency and position yourself as an innovative and environmentally aware partner for your customers.

Model of a bespoke take-back system for establishing a closed loop
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Support you can rely on.
You want to be certain that processes are effective, rules are followed and help is available whenever you need it. Our transparent, reliable and practical services are designed to satisfy all of these needs.
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Expertise

We continuously analyse and adapt to the latest requirements and market developments. We help companies understand which requirements are relevant to them now and which will be in the future.
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Advice

We take a practical approach to resolving individual issues, developing specific recommended actions that combine legal certainty with cost-effectiveness.
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Legal certainty

All processes – from packaging design to volume reporting – are based on current requirements. Companies act in compliance with the rules at all times.
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Implementation

From dual-system participation to reporting, in addition to planning measures, we also provide operational support until quantifiable results are achieved.
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Efficiency

Complex processes are structured, digitally supported and clearly documented. This reduces internal effort and creates space for core business activities.
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