Müller: Our waste separation partner

Munich, 26th January 2022 – Drug-store chain Müller will be printing the new dual-system sorting instructions on their own-brand packaging in future. The symbols show consumers at a glance how to correctly sort and dispose of packaging, and the packaging logo is set to help increase collection volumes in the yellow bins and bags over the long term. The initiative will also aid in improving the quality of the recyclable materials collected.

Preserving nature, in all its diversity, for future generations is the core focus of Müller’s sustainability strategy. And recycling also plays a key role here. But the only way to recycle packaging and thus reduce resource usage and greenhouse-gas emissions is to implement consistent waste-sorting, including in private households. There is a lot of work to be done here, with an average of 30 per cent of wrongly disposed waste ending up in yellow bins or bags. This makes recycling valuable raw materials much more difficult or even impossible. The first products to bear sorting instructions, including Softstar toilet paper, kitchen roll and disinfectant wipes, will be launched on the market in January 2022. Müller will then gradually add the instructions to its other own- brand packaging too.

A distinctive and educational packaging logo

Simple symbols show consumers at a glance how to dispose of packaging depending on its material – either in the yellow bin, the yellow bag, the wastepaper bin or bottle bank. The logo also clearly shows what to do when more than one material is combined, and the standardised basic layout makes it both highly distinctive and educational for consumers. Packaging size permitting, Müller will also add QR codes that link to informative videos about the dual systems. These are a visual way of teaching customers more about how to correctly sort waste and recycle. For more information on Müller’s com mitment to sustainability, visit www.mueller.de/unternehmen/nachhaltigkeit/.

About Müller Holding GmbH & Co. KG.

Müller Holding GmbH & Co. KG has a presence spanning nearly 900 outlets in seven countries across Europe. The company currently employs around 35,000 staff and some 950 trainees. In June 2019, its founder Erwin Müller was joined on the management board by trade expert Dr Günther Helm, who is set to expedite the changing of the guard at Müller. Müller stocks approximately 190,000 items, ranging from perfumes, pharmaceuticals, stationery, toys, household & lifestyle goods, multimedia, natural products, handcrafts and hosiery.

About the Trennhinweis e. V.

With their disposal and recycling service providers, the dual systems organise the collection, sorting and reuse of sales packaging nationwide. Their work is geared around the German Packaging Act (Verpackungsgesetz). A total of nine participating dual systems provide the packaging logo to ZSVR (Central Agency Packaging Register)-registered companies free of charge, with the aim of iTrennhinweis e. V. is a joint initiative of dual systems in Germany that are responsible for organising the collection, sorting and recycling of used sales packaging nationwide. By offering the separation labels to manufacturers and retailers, the association aims to educate consumers on the subject of waste separation and thus ensure that more packaging is recycled correctly and returned to the materials cycle. This reduces the consumption of resources and CO2 emissions, thus helping to protect the environment.

Back to the news overview