Smurfit Kappa launches Recycling Dual for German manufacturers

Ireland-based Smurfit Kappa has launched a new company called Recycling Dual GmbH designed to help German manufacturers and retail businesses reduce costs and improve their sustainability efforts.

Starting in 2021, Smurfit Kappa says Recycling Dual will offer what the firm calls an integrated holistic solution to track the life cycle of paper, cardboard and carton packaging from production through to being recycled. The methodology, as planned, highlights duplication that can be removed from the supply chain and reduce costs. The company says Recycling Dual provides a solution to ensure packaging is recycled through a nationwide collection system.

According to a news release from Smurfit Kappa, the new company was developed in response to a German federal law that was enacted in 2019 requiring stricter recycling requirements for all manufacturers and retailers who use consumer packaging as part of their supply chain, especially for e-commerce companies with e-commerce packaging. The law requires businesses to buy licenses for the packaging they use. Smurfit Kappa says with these license costs expected to increase by 30 percent in 2021, this has led to a greater responsibility being placed on businesses to increase their recycling rates. Additionally, failure to comply can result in significant fines.

Recycling Dual will organize the collection, sorting and recycling of packaging for businesses across Germany, with the goal of ensuring strict recycling quotas are met. As part of the service, Recycling Dual will work in collaboration with numerous German stakeholders including local municipalities and waste management companies.

“We are delighted to provide this first to market service to our customers in Germany,” says Henri Vermeulen, vice president of Smurfit Kappa Recovered Paper. “Recycling Dual provides a cost-effective solution for our customers which boosts recycling rates and meets a specific business need.”

Heiner Oepen, managing director of Recycling Dual, adds, “The integrated system combines Smurfit Kappa’s expertise in paper, packaging and long-term experience in the recycling industry and delivers on our solution-focused approach to assisting our customers.”