Our cooperation with Plastic Bank

We are doing something about plastic waste

As a packaging manufacturer, we are well aware of our responsibility to both nature and society. Within this context, the littering of the seas is regarded as one of the biggest ecological challenges of our times and therefore, we have made it our task to help preserve the world for future generations. This is an ambitious goal, but we intend to do everything in our power to achieve it. Plastic waste plays a major role in the global pollution of the oceans and owing to a lack of functional waste disposal systems; this problem is particularly massive in the countries of Asia.

Our impact

Mio.

Bottles prevented

331

Tons extracted

Communities impacted

228

People impacted

Less plastic waste in the seas and reduced poverty

The cooperation with Plastic Bank^® in the battle against the littering of the seas with plastic constitutes another step by Greiner Packaging on its path towards a sustainable circular economy. With its collection centers in the Philippines, Plastic Bank^® is seeking to halt the dumping of plastic waste into the ocean through the creation of eco-recycling systems in coastal communities and the processing of the collected material for reintroduction into the global plastics chain. In addition, the Plastic Bank’s^® gatherers receive a premium for the material that they collect in order to supplement their otherwise minimum incomes. The recycled material is designated as “Social Plastic^®” because it offers both ecological and social benefits.

“We gathered on-the-spot impressions and it was gratifying to see that the eco-system that we support in Manila is playing an important role in the battle against the disposal of plastic waste into the sea. This project clearly demonstrates how a circular economy can function in practice.”

Michael Frick

Global Key Account Director, Greiner Packaging

Opening of five collection centers in Manila

Greiner Packaging has supported Plastic Bank^® with the start-up of five collection centers in Manila. After China and Indonesia, the Philippines constitute the world’s third-largest source of plastic waste and according to estimates dump 2,000,000 t of plastic into the sea annually. Experts also assume that the nation’s Pasig River alone is responsible for 64,000 t of plastic entering the ocean yearly.

It is precisely on this point that Greiner Packaging has focused its local financial and social commitment. The gatherers bring the plastic to the collection points, where it is sorted and subsequently processed into granulate. This material is then sold to manufacturing companies, which employ recyclate for their products or packaging. At present, 736 members of households are organized as 184 official plastic collection teams in eight communities around Manila.

Our contribution

“The collection of plastic attacks poverty, while simultaneously cleaning up the environment and making a significant contribution to a circular economy. Our joint aim with Plastic Bank^® is to prevent the flow of plastic into the seas and free the local population from hardship.”

Manfred Stanek

Manfred Stanek, CEO von Greiner Packaging

Our partner

Plastic Bank^® is an organization that creates ethical, eco-recycling systems and processes the material gathered for reintroduction into the global production supply system. The collected material is reborn as Social Plastic®, which as a link in a closed supply chain, is reintegrated into products and packaging.

One the one hand, this strengthens a regenerative society and helps the world to stop the littering of the oceans with plastic. On the other, it improves the lives of those that assist collection. They receive a premium for the plastic that they have gathered in order to cover basic family needs such as food, fuel, school fees or health insurance. At present, Plastic Bank^® is active in Haiti, Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines and Egypt.

“Both we and the representatives of Plastic Bank^® are aware of the seriousness of the situation and have undertaken a commitment to support the local communities in the battle against plastic waste. Alone between May 2019 and February 2020, over 175,000 kg of plastic were fished out of the sea, which was an amount that exceeded all expectations.”

Theresa Wieser

Marketing Manager, Greiner Packaging

Opening of a plastic collection center in Manila

The video of the opening of the first joint plastic collection center in Manila explains the teamwork between Greiner Packaging and Plastic Bank^®.

Short video tiles

We take responsibility

A worthwhile commitment. Impressions of Greiner Packaging’s visit to the local Plastic Bank^® collectors in Manila, Philippines.

A genuine success story

We from Greiner Packaging and Plastic Bank^® are proud of this successful joint project and wish to achieve even more.

Supporting local communities

A day in the life of a Plastic Bank^® member and what our teamwork with Plastic Bank^® means to local families.

Creating a circular economy

Detailed insights into the new eco-system: from plastic collection to a new raw material. Together, Plastic Bank^® and Greiner Packaging are making this possible.

Local action where it is needed most

Alone the Pasig River in the Philippines transports some 64,000 t of plastic into the sea annually. We gathered on-the-spot impressions.

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