foldable pallet containers simplify the bottle and cans recycling process

Foldable Pallet Containers Help Recycling Companies Collect Bottles and Cans

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The European Union aims to become carbon neutral by 2030. As part of this ambitious project, the EU has implemented a system to reduce plastic and aluminum waste. Thus, consumers who buy bottled or canned beverages (water, beer, soda, wine and other alcoholic beverages) automatically pay a deposit fee for the packaging. They recover it by recycling the empty packages in special machines. These machines rely on large foldable plastic containers to collect the bottles.

How the Recycling System Works

The recycling machine has a scanner to read the specific symbol for the bottles or cans that carry deposit fees. When a packaging unit is accepted, the machine crushes it to reduce its volume and diverts it into a special compartment. These machines usually have two compartments:

  • One for plastic bottles
  • One for glass bottles and aluminum cans.

Once they finish recycling the bottles and cans, consumers receive a receipt with a barcode, allowing them to claim back the total amount of deposit for the packages.

As for the recycled bottles and packages, the recycling company collects them on a regular basis. They take the large foldable plastic containers filled with packages and leave empty ones to be placed in the recycling machine.

Why Do Recycling Companies Choose Foldable Pallet Containers?

The recycling of plastic, glass and aluminum beverage packaging is a large-scale project. EU laws, enacted into national laws, oblige retailers to offer consumers a convenient way of recycling packages and getting back the deposit they paid for them.

The recycling company in charge with the task must handle a very complex task:

  • Providing the recycling machines in supermarkets and big box stores
  • Collecting the recycled packages on an ongoing basis, to avoid piling up in store backrooms
  • Setting up proximity collection points to discharge the collected packages
  • Directing the packages to recycling plants.

One of the biggest problems is making sure that this process runs smoothly, without delays. Inevitably, some issues have already shown up in most EU countries, mainly the fact that the recycling machines break down due to improper use.

One aspect which can be controlled is the flow of recycled bottles and cans out of the stores and into the collection points. And the most efficient way of doing this is by collecting them into large foldable plastic containers.

Key Features of Large Foldable Containers Making Them Suitable for the Job

The large sized foldable pallet containers are especially designed for easy and ergonomic filling in and emptying. Most of the models have a frontal sleeve door, allowing both employees and automated machines to empty the container.

Also, the containers are made from high quality raw materials (HDPE, reinforced PP) suitable for intense use over a long period of time. The containers do not crack or break and are fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan.

Essentially, they also take up little space when they are not in use, because the walls fold down on the base, reducing their volume by up to 70%. This is an essential feature considering the little space supermarkets have in their backrooms.

Does Your Company Provide In-Store Recycling? Talk to Our Packaging Experts!

If you operate a retail store, you must have a recycling machine and reimburse the deposit paid by consumers. This new obligation may cause a significant disruption to your daily activities, if you do not have an efficient solution for collecting packages and handing them over to the recycling company.

Large foldable pallet containers have already proven their effectiveness for this purpose. We encourage you to contact our packaging specialists to discuss the plan for implementing these containers for collecting recycled packages. Send us an email to request a tailored offer!