"Is plastic bad per se?" - We share our experience and knowledge with you and inform you about why we are at Stapelstein® have deliberately decided on the monomaterial (expanded polypropylene) and what moved us to start cooperation with Wastereduction.
The problem with plastic
Plastic waste still enters the natural environment unhindered in many places around the world and leads to pollution with worrying long-term consequences. Especially in countries in the global south, where there is often no functioning waste management, people are left alone with their mountains of waste.
Why plastic anyway?
Whether a material is sustainable depends on many factors. This is why products and packaging made from natural materials are not always more ecologically sustainable.
When looking for the right material for the Stapelstein® elements we researched thoroughly and dealt with various aspects of plastic. We tested different prototypes and started from the birth of Stapelstein® Thoughts about returning to a closed circuit.
Ultimately, we found all the essential factors that are important to us in the monomaterial EPP:
- it is the only plastic material that covers all legal requirements
- it combines lightness and stability
- it is durable and environmentally friendly due to the low energy consumption during production
- it is 1:1 recyclable and free of harmful substances
You can find out more about the topic of #monomaterial here.
What is plastic compensation and the plastic-neutral+ label?
Despite the responsible use of plastic, we believe that companies that bring plastic products into the world should be aware of their impact. In order to critically question ourselves but also to make consumers and producers aware of the issue, we have been supporting the company WasteReduction, a social impact organization that is committed to counteracting the plastic crisis, since 2023.
“As long as we share a planet, we can’t care less about how other countries deal with waste”
Waste reduction team
WasteReduction – A valuable solution approach
Ruth and Martin, the founders of WasteReduction, use their corporate philosophy to create a great opportunity to successfully offset plastic. This means that for every plastic product purchased that bears the “plastic-neutral+” label, they remove the same amount of plastic from nature as the product contains.
In addition, WasteReduction finances educational projects for the sensitive use of plastics.
Which measures are taken? Stapelstein® for plastic compensation
For every kilogram of plastic we put through our... Stapelstein® sell products with the plastic-neutral+ label, WasteReduction protects nature from plastic waste with its global environmental protection projects.
This means that every 10 kg is proportionally compensated 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 quantities of Stapelstein® are implemented by WasteReductions 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, on the one hand, consciously questioning our purchasing decisions and, on the other hand, if plastic products are made, then those with the plastic-neutral+ seal. Let’s help nature regenerate.
Have you already discovered the plastikneutral+ label on plastic products of your choice?