Schwarz Group - Closed loop PET recycling in Germany

Plastic is ubiquitous in today's society. A great amount of plastic is specifically flowing into the packaging industry. However, economical and technical limitations cause most plastic packaging to have a linear and unsustainable life, often characterized by a very short use phase.

Since June 2021, all disposable PET deposit bottles produced by Schwarz Produktion for Lidl and Kaufland own-brand products in Germany are made of 100 percent recycled plastic (rPET), excluding the cap and label. Every single new bottle is produced entirely from old bottles and is particularly resource-friendly due to its low weight. Schwarz Produktion achieved this major development step in PET recycling by investing heavily in the recycling loop, developing some of its own solutions, and building up expertise over many years.

As early as 2008, Lidl took on a pioneering role in the field of circular economy by developing the „Saskia“ recyclable bottle. The retail division now offers around 60 types of beverage in non-refillable PET bottles made of 100 percent recycled material. Lidl customers can recognize the bottles by the „more responsibly packaged” logo. 

At the Kaufland retail division, around 50 types of beverage of the K-Classic private label are made of 100 percent rPET. These bottles are marked with the „more responsibly packaged“ logo. 

By increasing the use of rPET to 100 percent for non-refillable PET bottles, the Schwarz Group will save a total of 48,000 tons of new plastic and 79,000 tons of CO2 in 2021 - compared to PET bottles without recyclate*.

*Calculation based on a predicted annual volume and assumed shift from 100 percent virgin to 100 percent recycled material.