An innovative solution that paves the way to a circular economy and serves as a model for other companies: Our sustainable stand-up pouch, the world’s first fully recyclable stand-up pouch, convinced the expert jury, consisting of representatives from business, science and society, in the ‘Innovative Solutions’ category. Werner & Mertz has now been honored with the Circularity Champion Award 2024 as Circular Solution Leader. Werner & Mertz owner Reinhard Schneider accepted the award on 13 November at the Responsible Leadership Conference.

“These projects set new standards for responsible business and impressively demonstrate how companies can effect lasting, positive changes with innovative circular economy models,” the jury said about the innovations of the award-winning companies. “We are very pleased to receive the jury’s recognition. It’s important to us, as an innovative, sustainable company, to be a pioneer of a new ecological market standard. Other providers in our detergent and cleaning products sector have followed our lead and put our technology to use. Together we show that a functioning circular economy and climate protection go hand in hand,” said Schneider as he accepted the award from jury member Isabel Gomez.

Major influence on the recycling business and sector

In cooperation with its partner Mondi, Werner & Mertz put the patented flexible stand-up pouch of a monomaterial on the market at the end of a multi-year development project. Designed according to the Cradle-to-Cradle® Principle, the pouch is forward-looking and sustainable. It can be completely recycled mechanically and, for the first time, 85 percent of its total weight can be recycled to a high quality standard. The complete recyclability was certified by the independent Institute cyclos-HTP and Interseroh.

The development of the stand-up pouch played a part in the design of sorting facilities. In the past, plastic film pieces smaller than letter-sized paper were incinerated because there was no way to sort and recycle them. Such plastic pieces make up approximately 40 percent of the Yellow Bag contents and represent enormous, previously untapped potential for CO2 avoidance. With the Design for Recycling in mind, the cooperation partners set out to develop a stand-up pouch that was completely recyclable not simply in theory but in practice. In the design of the sorting equipment in Gernsheim—one of the most modern sorting facilities in Germany—the pouch is recognized by the machine and then fed into material recycling processes

The award-winning mono-material pouch is part of the Switch System from Tana-Chemie, part of the Werner & Mertz Group. The overall concept for professional users under the Green Care Professional brand consists of ultra-concentrates, dosing bottle and refill bag. The advantages: User-friendliness, cost-effectiveness and sustainability, all in the spirit of the circular economy.  

The ongoing rise in electricity prices is a particular challenge for commercial laundry cleaners. Washing processes at higher temperatures lead to expensive electricity consumption. How can you save money without sacrificing good washing results? With suitable detergents, low-temperature programs can be used without having to sacrifice hygienically fresh laundry. The Green Care Professional’s range for washing processes in the temperature range of 20 to 60°C is easy on the wallet and the environment.

Washing processes from 20°C have the following advantages:
– Electricity cost savings. Less electricity is needed to heat the water.
– Low-temperature programmes are gentle on fabrics. The washing programme lasts longer, with fewer drum rotations.

• Activ bicompact is an EU Ecolabel-certified, highly concentrated high-performance powder for all white and coloured textiles. It guarantees high washing performance at 20°C and shorter wash cycles, while saving up to 60% on energy costs. Dermatologically certified as ‘very good’.
• Activ delicat is a liquid mild detergent for all delicate textiles. EU Ecolabel and dermatologically certified as ‘very good’.
• System alca can be used both as a sole detergent for cleaning mops and as a laundry booster. Developed on the basis of renewable raw materials.
• System powerkliks is ideal as a stand-alone detergent for cleaning mop or as an ultra-concentrated alkaline laundry booster with maximum grease dissolving power. EU Ecolabel and Cradle to Cradle certified. For use in the Kliks system.
  
  
  

In the classroom, hygiene and cleanliness contribute to an optimal learning environment. A sustainable hygiene concept is particularly important here, not least because students and teachers have increased their demands for sustainability. Here we show how resource consumption can be reduced and at the same time how furniture can be cleaned and maintained sustainably in a way that preserves its value.

Infographic: What is important when it comes to sustainable cleaning products for the classroom – without compromising on cleanliness and hygiene. © Green Care Professional

1. High-performing and circular cleaning products

In every classroom, the cleaning result is the highest priority and allows no compromises. The modern, sustainable cleaning products from Green Care Professional from the German Frosch brand can do even more.

Based on the principle of the circular economy, Green Care is developed in such a way that the materials used are safe for people and nature. The ingredients can be returned to the biological cycle, i.e. to nature. The same applies to the packaging: The materials are made of recycled material and can be recycled again and returned to the next product cycle. In this way, no new waste is created, the circle is closed.

Consistent circular economy: Both cleaning chemicals and packaging remain in closed systems. © Green Care Professional

Tip: Using products without fragrances and dye can relieve the indoor air and prevent possible headaches or discomfort. The cleaning quality is not impaired.

Pay attention to following criteria for sustainable cleaning products:

• Biodegradable
• Ingredients from plant-based and regional sources wherever possible
• No microplastics
• Free from allergens and critical components
• Recycled and recyclable packaging
• Production is also optimized in a sustainable way: water treatment and renewable instead of fossil energy sources

Info box: Criteria for sustainable cleaning products. © Green Care Professional

2. Recycling and waste prevention  

The issue of waste in the classroom goes beyond the wastepaper basket. With the simple guiding principle “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, costly storage and packaging waste disposal of cleaning products can be easily reduced:

Reduce:

Producing as little packaging waste as possible is easier on the environment and also on your wallet. Concentrates can be diluted with water on site. Especially concentrates in bag-in-box systems are the ideal solution to reduce plastic volume, waste and transport emissions are saved.

Reuse:

Look for packaging with a refill concept: Voluminous packaging can be reused with refill packs, which are often offered with much smaller outer packaging.

The Switch system offers less and recyclable packaging with a secure dosing cap. © Green Care Professional.

Recycle:

Just as in the household sector, waste in schools is separated and collected for recycling. In order for packaging to be recycled through the collection system, it is important to ensure that packaging is recyclable when selecting cleaning products. Sustainable packaging is made of 100% recycled material and can also be recycled again.

Criteria for sustainable packaging

• Separable components (such as lid or bottle)
• Transparent or light colored materials
• Detachable labels
• Packaging made of only one material (e.g. refill bags made of mono-material)

Info box: Sustainable manufacturers design their packaging according to criteria that make high-quality recycling possible © Green Care Professional accord. https://initiative-frosch.de/plastik-im-wertstoffkreislauf-halten/

3. Correct cleaning frequency and value preservation

Well thought-out maintenance cleaning saves the cleaning staff time and money on time-consuming basic or special cleaning, which may require stronger chemicals.  

A customized cleaning and hygiene plan for each hotel area specifies which surfaces are cleaned and maintained at which intervals with which agent in the appropriate dosage.

 The advantages:

• Correct dosing and use of the right products prevent material damage. Less resources are needed for renovations – and refurbishments.
• Surfaces are protected, cared for and last longer.
• Regular cleaning and care contributes to the hygienic well-being of guests and is visually appealing.
• Thanks to the effective cleaning power and the intuitive and practical handling of ready-to-use cleaners, time and walking distances can be saved.

4. Customized disinfection

The pandemic has shown: Disinfection is important just in case. However, a normal cleaning agent is often sufficient. Many objects in the classroom, for example, can also be cleaned with a normal all-purpose cleaner. This is gentle on the material. It is important to use the right cleaner or disinfectant at the right frequency for the purpose and material.

For minmal risk of allergy

Green Care Professional offers a range of products without color and perfume. The absence of unnecessary ingredients like perfume and color reduces the risk of allergic reactions without affecting the cleaning result.

Following Green Care Professional products have received the Asthma Allergy Nordic label

• TANET SR 15 F: High performance floor and surface cleaner with excellent wetting properties. Based on alcohol. CLP-free.
• SANET zitrotan F: Sanitary cleaner with impressive performance based on the strength of citric acid. CLP-free and Nordic Swan certified.
• SANET perfect F: Sanitary cleaner & descaler with outstanding cleaning power thanks to a special acid and surfactant formula.
• WC daily F: Viscous and easy-to-use toilet cleaner with the natural power of citric acid. CLP-free.

These products are also certified according to Dermatest (Dermatically tested), Ecolabel and Cradle to Cradle®.

Excluding and avoiding harmful ingredients is part of the Green Care Development Guideline. The Asthma Allergy Nordic labelling is a guarantee for minimal risk of allergy. Safety for human life and the environment is our highest priority.

Products with the Asthma Allergy Nordic label contain minimal risk of allergy

Products with the Asthma Allergy Nordic logo have been critically assessed and are considered beneficial for those who suffer from asthma, allergy or other sensitivity – and for everyone else who wants to avoid perfumes and allergens.

• Asthma Allergy Nordic label excludes, among others, some skin sensitizing substances, substances with allergenic potential, some irritating substances, fragrances and colorants, assesses the impurity of raw materials. Assessed raw materials of natural origin must be used in the product.
• Asthma Allergy Nordic is a strong brand in the Nordic Countries and is getting significant interest on international markets.
• Please note that the Asthma Allergy Nordic label is a recommendation only. An absolute guarantee that no one will ever experience a reaction of some sort from a product carrying our logo is obviously impossible.

* Source: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma

Does the Yellow Bag matter for the climate? How does this formula work? With its cleverly crafted collection of plastic packaging via the dual system, Germany developed one of the best ideas for the circular economy. This collection system is the perfect source for creating new packaging through resource-conserving mechanical recycling. When 10 old plastic bottles land in the recycling system, 10 new bottles emerge. That is true recycling in the interests of a climate-friendly circular economy. When more plastic is kept in a closed loop, less new plastic has to be produced in climate-damaging ways. In addition, less plastic waste is generated.

Werner & Mertz, whose company also includes Tana-Chemie GmbH, and its cooperation partner ALPLA in the Recyclate Initiative have again scored a success for the genuine circular economy. For its Green Care Professional PET bottles of 100 percent recycled plastic, the Mainz-based cleaning products manufacturer has increased the share of rPET from the Yellow Bag to 75 percent.    

“The pioneering Werner & Mertz advances the technological exploitation of material from the Yellow Bag for high-quality packaging. More than 15 million PET bottles with the increased share of 75 percent Yellow Bag material have been placed in the market. We prove once again the feasibility of our approach in which we put used plastic from post-consumer waste collections through high-quality mechanical reprocessing, re-use it and thus keep it in a closed loop,” said Alexander Schau, packaging expert at Werner & Mertz. The remaining 25 percent of the material, which also is mechanically recycled, comes from European deposit bottle collection (Bottle to Bottle).

Technological progress and extensive knowledge make innovation possible

Thanks to the familiar high quality and unaltered look of the bottle, consumers do not see a difference. The step up to 75 percent was made possible by a state-of-the-art sorting facility and knowledge acquired from continuous monitoring of the delivered PET bales in the recycling plant. 

ALPLArecycling was able to increase sorting efficiency with ultra modern software and computer technology which allow more precise sorting at higher speed. “Plastic is valuable material that should get the best possible re-use in a closed loop. We manage to do that only by continuously developing our recycling processes and investing in the latest sorting technology. Our many years of cooperating with Werner & Mertz on increasing the proportion of recycled material from the Yellow Bag is a great example of joint implementation of progressive recycling projects,” said Dietmar Marin, Managing Director Recycling Division at ALPLA. Packaging experts from Werner & Mertz examine the bales of used plastic delivered to the recycling plant.  At regular intervals on site, they analyze the materials and their quality in PET bales awaiting recycling. Knowledge of this particular waste stream goes into process development. 

Successful cooperation

With yet another increase in the share from household waste collections, Werner & Mertz and ALPLA continue the success story of their cooperation. The Recyclate Initiative was launched back in 2012 by Werner & Mertz, together with ALPLA and other cooperation partners from the entire value chain. Committed to using Post-Consumer Recyclate (PCR), the Initiative partners say that used plastic (Post-Consumer Recyclate or PCR) from household waste collections should be utilized as input material, reprocessed after use, re-used as recycled and recyclable material, and thereby kept in a closed loop. In 2014 the initiative succeeded in producing PET bottles for the brand Green Care Professional from 100 percent PCR, 20 percent of which came from the Yellow Bag. In February 2021 the next increase to 50 percent followed and in 2024 the share reached 75 percent.     

The source matters for the climate: Where the plastic packaging comes from is vitally important

+  Mechanical Recycling

As proven in practice millions of times, used plastic from the Yellow Bag can be sorted by type and recycled cleanly in a high-quality upcycling process. Given its low melting point, plastic is well-suited for use again and again. Mechanical recycling of plastic is the most direct and energy-efficient form of the circular economy in our industry.   

– New Plastic

In a study conducted by ETH Zürich¹ in 2022, analysts concluded: “twice as much fossil carbon is combusted as fuel for plastics production than contained as feedstock in plastics.”   

The alarming results are particularly noteworthy because research to date has concentrated on the environmental pollution that occurs with the disposal of plastic. Those damages alone are enormous. The incineration of plastic packaging, the primary means of disposal in Germany and other European countries, generates on average three grams of CO₂ for every gram of plastic. Moreover, burning the plastic is a tremendous waste of a valuable raw material.  

The fact that the manufacture of new plastic generates even more greenhouse gas emissions than incineration means the carbon footprint of virgin plastic is much worse than previously assumed. The major factor for the enormous amounts of energy used in production, according to researchers, is the continuously increasing use of coal-generated electricity. That applies primarily for the booming plastic economy in emerging markets in China, India and Indonesia, where the required energy for new plastic comes mainly from climate-damaging coal-powered plants. Many EU countries and Western industrialized countries, the study reports, have outsourced energy-intense manufacturing of plastic to those countries.

– Pyrolysis

In pyrolysis, the used plastic is decomposed into its petrochemical components at  temperatures up to 1,500 degrees Celsius so that it can be processed into plastic again with help from new oil.  

The many variations of pyrolysis—also known as “chemcycling” or “chemical recycling”—have one thing in common. They require a lot of energy, for example, to obtain plastic from pyrolysis oil. A study by a major environmental organization² documents the poor track record of this process. To convert one metric ton of used plastic into plastic, pyrolysis needs one metric ton of fossil fuel as an additional energy supplier. Independent experts therefore see pyrolysis not as a variety of recycling, but rather as a variant of incinceration. 

This source does not protect the climate. Every gram of incinerated plastic generates about three grams of CO₂. On top of that, a large quantity of material is lost to pyrolysis. In most cases, the small amount of pyrolysis oil obtained can be processed further only after additional, time-consuming chemical cleaning.

 ¹ Link to the study:  Growing environmental footprint of plastics driven by coal combustion | Nature Sustainability 

²  Shanar’s LCA brief/critique/paper (nabu.de)

Green Care Professional’s innovative Switch system has been nominated for the industry-renowned Amsterdam Innovation Award in the category ‘Sustainability & Environment’. The award will be presented in May 2024 at Interclean Amsterdam, the world’s largest trade fair for professional cleaning. For many years, the Amsterdam Innovation Award has been granted for the most innovative product, service or solution in the cleaning and hygiene industry in four different categories.

In the ‘Sustainability and Environment’ category, awards are given to innovations that focus on corporate social responsibility, sustainability and/or environmentally friendly improvements, like reducing waste, using biodegradable resources or products or solutions that decrease the ecological footprint of the product/solution or even the industry itself.

The innovative Switch System combines efficient and safe dosing without additional equipment with the advantages of sustainable and cost-effective refilling. Ultra-concentrated formulations are available for four different application areas that meet the highest sustainability requirements.

With the development and launch of Switch, Werner & Mertz Professional has taken another step towards a green future for the professional cleaning industry.

Mainz cleaning product manufacturer recognized as role model for environmentally friendly recycling of plastic

Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, today visited Werner & Mertz headquarters in Mainz. He was accommpanied by his Rhineland-Palatinate colleagues, State Minister for Climate Protection Katrin Eder and State Minister for Economics Daniela Schmitt.

The visitors spoke with Reinhard Schneider, owner of the company for ecological detergents, cleaning agents and personal care products, about high quality mechanical recycling of used plastic from the Yellow Bag as a milestone in environmental and climate protection in Germany.

Federal Minister Habeck said, “Recycling and the circular economy are critically important for the successful decarbonization of our economy. The efficient and CO₂-avoiding reuse of raw materials reduces resource consumption and thus a company’s ecological footprint. We need innovative technologies and action-backed commitment to climate and environmental protection and resource conservation on all fronts.”

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (on the right) speaks with Werner & Mertz owner Reinhard Schneider about high quality mechanical recycling of used plastic from the Yellow Bag as a milestone for environmental and climate protection in Germany. Photographer: Marcus Steinbrücker

Minister Eder praised Werner & Mertz as a role model, saying: “Climate protection always requires economical use of resources. We need a functioning circular economy. The type of material and its composition determine whether packaging is recyclable and if it can be kept within the circular economy. A recycling friendly design is critical. With its recycling initiative, Werner & Mertz has already made a significant contribution.”

The circular economy works – Werner & Mertz has proven that millions of times

Since 2012 Werner & Mertz and its Recyclate Initiative partners have been committed to reprocessing used plastic from household waste collections like the Yellow Bag for high quality reuse and to keeping it in a closed cycle. Proof of their success is in the more than 800 million bottles made of 100% post-consumer recyclate, produced and filled in Mainz for the well-known, trusted brand Frosch and other products. From 75 to 100 percent of the raw material for the plastic bottles comes from the Yellow Bag and the rest from European deposit bottles, which can not be filled again, given the normal wear and tear.  

Day after day, the Mainz eco pioneer shows that upcycling of used plastic works. The recycled plastic can even be used in packaging for personal care products, such as shower gels, which are subject to strict requirements. Thanks to the use of the Yellow Bag for mechanical recycling, this material collection is finally what consumers have long awaited, i.e., the starting point of a truly closed loop. Now a bottle for dishwashing liquid can be made again into a bottle for dishwashing liquid.

During a tour of the modern production center on the Werner & Mertz factory grounds, Schmitt, Eder and Habeck could watch the manufacturing and filling of the bottles made of 100% post consumer recyclate. Photographer: Marcus Steinbrücker

Effective climate protection vs. greenwashing

Mechanical recycling is particularly resource-conserving. The reuse of plastic reduces the CO₂ environmental load arising from the manufacturing of new plastic by about 60 percent. Furthermore, mechanical recycling is by far more environmentally friendly than the alternative, that is, CO₂-emitting incineration still widely used. The worldwide CO₂ emissions from plastic production and incineration are about as high as emissions from global air traffic. Flight-related emissions can be cut by not flying. In contrast, plastic can still be used and emissions avoided when energy-saving recycling succeeds.

Mainz eco pioneer is for quick implementation of the plastic tax

To date, Werner & Mertz is one of very few companies that counts on high quality mechanical recycling, especially with the Yellow Bag as the source of material. For financial reasons, most manufacturers hold onto the significantly less expensive virgin plastic. Therefore, the Mainz cleaning product manufacturer welcomes and supports the planned introduction of what’s called the “plastic tax“, which is a levy to be paid in the future by distributors of packaging made from virgin plastic. In Germany the EU-decreed levy has been settled with general tax revenue—and thereby paid by the end consumer and not the originator. Unlike in many other large European countries, the money collected here is not earmarked for environmental relief.  

“When the plastic tax makes the use of virgin plastic more expensive for the manufacturer,   there will be an effective incentive to invest in recyclate and mechanical recycling. That will strengthen the circular economy and provide real climate relief,“ said Schneider.   

Habeck makes third visit to Werner & Mertz

Habeck has been the guest of the Mainz cleaning products company with the frog many times. In January 2019 the politician, then the party chairman of the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, spoke with Schneider about the recently enacted packaging act. While on site, he had a close look at the achievements of the manufacturer of sustainable detergents and cleaning agents. At the dedication of the new production center in May 2019, he gave the keynote address.