One of the most important shifts in modern business is the move from linear waste streams to operations that are altogether more circular. With sustainability staying top of the agenda, it is the responsibility of every organisation to ensure that the impact of their operations on the natural world is limited.
At Schoeller Allibert, we pride ourselves on putting sustainability and performance first, which we demonstrate in a number of ways, while making plastic packaging “too good to waste”.
One of our latest initiatives is our new transit packaging buyback scheme, which creates a more circular packaging lifecycle and aims to reduce reliance on virgin plastics in our customers’ supply chains.
A smart solution to reducing operational costs and environmental impact, the buyback scheme sees the material from reusable plastic transit packaging - of any brand - at the end of its lifespan, recycled and used in new Schoeller Allibert packaging.
As a fully cradle-to-cradle solution, our buyback scheme is another way to help close the plastic loop. Plastic packaging is durable and designed to last a long time – with exceptional lifetime value. However, its value doesn’t end when it reaches the end of its operational lifespan. Our buyback scheme recovers that plastic and converts it for use in new packaging designs.
How does the buyback scheme work?
The process begins with an initial questionnaire and fact-finding process. Information required includes the product types agreed and any relevant certifications for the units, such as approval for food use. To be eligible, plastic containers must be an agreed type and known weight, at least three years old, and available with material specifications or technical datasheets.
Once received, any containers that require cutting or degassing undergo this process, and all recovered plastic material is subject to rigorous quality checking to ensure the material is free of heavy metals and can meet the quality levels expected of Schoeller Allibert products.
Next, the containers are ground up into their base material, which is then washed, mixed and reprocessed to create high-performance plastic substrate that once again has the same integrity as the original virgin plastic.
This material is then used in the manufacture of new Schoeller Allibert specification products. Once the process is complete, the material’s value is credited back to the customer against the value of new products, making the buyback scheme an extremely cost-effective option, as well as supporting supply chain sustainability.
Why explore Schoeller Allibert’s buyback scheme?
With Net Zero goals in sight, there is increased pressure on brands and their supply chains to reduce the environmental impact of their operations.
The scheme offered by Schoeller Allibert provides myriad benefits in terms of controlling costs and diverting waste from landfill or incineration, but also expands beyond this. With plastic transit packaging constructed from recycled plastic and a lifespan that is theoretically endless, supply chain logistics can become a more active contributor to the circular economy and brand sustainability goals.
The buyback scheme is particularly important for businesses operating across the UK, as the UK Plastic Packaging Tax takes effect. Under the scheme, all plastic packaging imported into, or manufactured in the UK, is subject to tax at £200 per tonne. There is exemption for plastic packaging that contains at least 30% recycled material, which includes packaging created through the buyback scheme.
Schoeller Allibert proudly puts sustainability first and demonstrates to customers across a wide range of industry sectors that environmentally conscious packaging does not mean compromising on performance, automation or quality.
The buyback solution can also be combined with asset rental - a service launched by Schoeller Allibert to help its customers control costs, protect CAPEX budgets and add new levels of agility in supply chain management. By choosing rental of returnable transit packaging over outright ownership, all maintenance and repairs are carried out by Schoeller Allibert’s expert team.