Plastics processor Pöppelmann is a pioneer in Germany: Pöppelmann is the first company to be able to introduce the new RAL quality mark of the RAL Quality Association for Recycled Materials from Household Waste Recycling. The RAL Quality Association, recognized in October 2018, has now awarded the RAL quality label for the first time. The plant pots of the Pöppelmann TEKU® Division, colored 'Recycling Blue', meet all the criteria for the award. The resource-conserving production from recyclates, which originate directly from the yellow waste disposal bag - or yellow bin - is demonstrably guaranteed. This was a statement from the RAL Quality Association and Pöppelmann GmbH & Co. KG.
The Pöppelmann team at this year's Fruit Logistica
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Nearly a year ago, the Green Dot, together with partners, created the RAL Quality Association Recyclates from Collected Househould Waste. It wants to promote the use of recyclates in packaging. The Association focuses on the use of recyclates from private plastic waste, collected through the 'Dual Systems'. The aim is to produce new packaging from used packaging.
The RAL quality seal is considered particularly reliable and neutral in its outlook. The Association voluntarily subjects itself to the quality and test regulations recognized by the RAL Institute and thereby acquires the right to use the new RAL quality seal. It serves as proof that for the product or packaging in question, the reused waste products from the yellow bag or bin have been used and are completely traceable.
Acceptance of plastic packaging
"We have acquired the right to use this quality label after an in-house audit was carried out by independent experts," explains Benjamin Kampmann from Pöppelmann Innovation Management. "We have demonstrated that we solely use dual system recyclates in the plant pot manufacturing process and this is all documented in accordance with the requirements of the RAL Quality Assurance Association."
Compliance with the award criteria will be reviewed annually. Pöppelmann representative Matthias Lesch, Marketing and Innovation Management, welcomes this certification: "With the RAL quality seal, customers and consumers can see at a glance that waste from the yellow bag or bin has been used for this product. We see this as a fundamental requirement for long-term acceptance of plastic packaging."
The company Pöppelmann developed the design concept for the plant pots in the color Recycling Blue as part of the company-wide initiative PÖPPELMANN blue®. This initiative is a platform for developing concepts that can be used to close the material cycles within plastics processing. 
Pöppelmann recycling experts are currently working on solutions for the resource-efficient production of packs made of PET waste and multi-way trays.
TEKU® Sales Manager Arno Zerhusen explains: "The many discussions with our customers show us that we have hit a nerve with our products from the PÖPPELMANN blue® initiative. We are convinced that consumer attitudes must continue to change: plastic is neither waste nor fundamentally a bad material. Plastic is a valuable raw material, which can be reused excellently and with which we have to deal responsibly."
For more information: www.poeppelmann.com