“Is plastic inherently bad?” – We share with you our experience and insights and inform you why we at Stapelstein® have consciously chosen the monomaterial EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) and what motivated us to start a cooperation with WasteReduction.
The Problem with Plastic
Plastic waste still enters the natural environment unhindered in many parts of the world, leading to pollution with concerning long-term consequences. Especially in countries of the global south, where there is often no functioning waste management, people are left alone with their heaps of trash.
Why plastic anyway?
Whether a material is sustainable depends on many factors. Therefore, products and packaging made from natural materials are not always more ecologically sustainable.
In the search for the right material for the Stapelstein® elements, we researched thoroughly and considered various aspects of plastic. We tested different prototypes and from the birth of Stapelstein®, we thought about reintegration into a closed loop.
Finally, we found all the essential factors in the monomaterial EPP that are important to us:
- it is the only plastic material that meets all legal requirements
- it combines lightness and stability
- it is durable and environmentally friendly due to low energy consumption during production
- it is 1:1 recyclable and free from pollutants
You can find more on the topic #Monomaterial here.
What is plastic compensation and the plasticneutral+ label?
Despite the responsible use of plastic, we believe that companies that bring plastic products into the world should be aware of their impact. To critically question ourselves but also to draw consumers' and producers' attention to the issue, we have been supporting the company WasteReduction, a social impact organization, since 2023, which is committed to counteracting the plastic crisis.
“As long as we share a planet, we cannot be indifferent to how waste is handled in other countries.”
WasteReduction Team
WasteReduction – A valuable solution approach
Ruth and Martin, the founders of WasteReduction, create a great opportunity with their company philosophy to successfully compensate for plastic. This means that for every plastic product purchased that carries the “plasticneutral+” label, they remove the same amount of plastic from nature as the product contains.
In addition, WasteReduction funds educational projects for a sensitive handling of plastics.
What measures does Stapelstein® take for plastic compensation
For every kilogram of plastic that we sell through our Stapelstein® products with the plasticneutral+ label, WasteReduction protects nature from plastic waste with its global environmental protection projects.
This means that every 10 kg is compensated proportionally as follows:
Clean-ups zur Entfernung von Plastikmüll aus der Natur
Die Verbesserung des Abfallmanagements und der Aufbau von Recyclinganlagen an Orten, an welchen am meisten Plastikmüll ungehindert in die Umwelt strömt
Die Aufklärung über die Konsequenzen von Plastikmüll in Form von Workshops und der Umweltbildung an Schulen
Clean-ups zur Entfernung von Plastikmüll aus der Natur
Die Verbesserung des Abfallmanagements und der Aufbau von Recyclinganlagen an Orten, an welchen am meisten Plastikmüll ungehindert in die Umwelt strömt
Die Aufklärung über die Konsequenzen von Plastikmüll in Form von Workshops und der Umweltbildung an Schulen
The compensation amounts of Stapelstein® are implemented by WasteReduction's partners in different countries:
You can find a video insight into the work of WasteReduction here.
We are all involved in the growing plastic crisis, but together we can reduce the mountains of waste by consciously questioning our purchasing decisions and, if plastic products, then those with the plasticneutral+ seal. Let's help nature to regenerate.
Have you already discovered the plasticneutral+ label on plastic products of your choice?