In order to manage waste created by discarded packaging and minimize using natural resources for its production, a structured recycling system, supported by law, is intrinsically tied to packaging consumption. In fact, one of the things Germany is best known for abroad is its waste separating in order to facilitate proper recycling. Among private consumers in Germany, around 6.5 million tons of packaging were collected in 2020. Recycling rates have remained high since 2010 at around 97 percent. While recycling options differ by federal state, city or even district, most households and business establishments can find a large recycling container for paper and cardboard nearby. Glass containers can also be recycled this way. In some cases consumers may also have access to a container for plastic packaging.
The packaging industry in Germany is part of nearly every consumer experience. From receiving packages in the mail to buying packaged goods in the supermarket during regular grocery shopping sessions, packaging is basically unavoidable. It is a way to ensure goods stay safe and in the right condition when stored, transported and consumed. Packaging is a necessity, but also an industry which contributes to waste and sustainability issues, especially through using plastic. The production of packaging also places further pressure on the environment, which makes green solutions even more important. In fact, 49 percent of respondents to a survey conducted in Germany stated they saw the need for eco-friendly packaging.