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FOCUS ON MORE SUSTAINABILITY 2010 / 2011
Der Grne Punkt.
Corporate Mission: Responsibility.
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3 EDITORIAL
4 | 5 COMPANY
6 | 8 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
9 | 11 INTERVIEW WITH STEFAN SCHREITER
12 | 15 SYSTEC PLASTICS GMBH
16 | 19 MARINE LITTERING
The Green Dot.Committed to Creating a Cleaner
Environment since 1990.
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3EDITORIAL
Dear Reader,
A shortage of resources, climate change and environmental pollution are having an ever greater
influence on the markets: only a business model which treats resources in an economical and
intelligent manner has a long-term future. This applies especially for countries li ke Germany
which have scarce raw materials and which is increasingly dependent on a reliable supply of raw
materials.
An outstanding example of this development is packaging waste management with the Green
Dot which has been operating for more than 20 years: high qual ity recycling preserves climate
and environment and ensures business of an innovative sector which is world leader with its
collection systems, sorting processes and recycling processes. As the pioneer of the dual system
we have worked hard and have achieved a great deal . In 2009 the secondary raw material sector
in Germany delivered around 13 per cent of raw materials for industry. Recycling of 78 mill ion
tons of lightweight packaging by Der Grne Punkt Duales System Deutschland GmbH (DSD)
has prevented around 24 million tons of greenhouse gases since its foundation about 20 years
ago, and has saved far more than 1.1 billion mega-joules of primary energy.
We take on responsibility. Not only because we are market leader among dual systems. We are
continuously working on the improvement of our services and processes. Our vision: we want to
retain even more recyclables in our closed loop systems no raw material must be wasted, the
climate and environment should be subjected to as little pollution as possible. To ensure our
vision does not remain utopian, this year we established the staff unit Sustainability reporting
directly to me as CEO. This focus documents our responsibility and is the key to our sustainedsuccess for our environment and for our customers. At our subsidiary, Systec Plastics GmbH in
Hrstel, founded in 2010, we can test innovative processes, make plastic recycling even more
efficient and increase eco-efficiency.
And of course we also think outside the box and are committed to social projects aimed at more
sustainabil ity. The topic of marine littering is a burning issue for our company and we are cur-
rently participating intensively in two projects to find solutions.
In this brochure we would like to inform you about our work focus, current projects and our
environmental performance 2010/2011. And we wil l not be resting on our laurels, but will work
hard every day to improve all aspects of our business, and will continue to inform you of our
progress in future.
We hope you enjoy reading the brochure.
Yours
Stefan SchreiterChief Executive Officer
STEFAN SCHREITER
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4 COMPANY
Ecology: Since our foundation we have recycled more than 80 million tons
of used sales packaging in Germany and therefore prevented the equiva-
lent of more than 24 million tons of CO2.
Economy: The German economy saves 225 million Euro each year by
recycling packaging.
460 billion packagings bear the Green Dot each year one of the most
used trademarks in the world.
Sustainability on the dot
Since 1990 Der Grne Punkt Duales System Deutschland GmbH (DSD) has set up
and organized the first dual system in the world for consumer-friendly, high-quality
recycling of sales packaging. Thanks to the pioneering work of the Green Dot, waste
sorting is a normal part of everyday li fe for Germans and is their personal contribu-
tion to environmental protection. We make sure that this commitment generates
increasing effect . We gain secondary raw materials f rom used packaging which are in
demand on the market. This saves resources and is less harmful to the climate and
environment than the production of new goods.
Together with our par tners we have developed efficient recycling technology. Thanks
to the research and development of DSD, plastics recycling in particular is a prime
example of the recycling sector. Within just a few years we have built up efficient
recycling processes recycling technology Made in Germany is today a worldwide
best seller. And we are proud of this achievement. We rely on innovative processes
and marketable products to continue decreasing costs for plastics recycling in future
and to improve eco-efficiency. This is not a question of margins or volumes. It is aquestion of quality. The same quality requirements are demanded of secondary raw
materials today as for new goods. There is no market any more for downcycling.
That is why we have been operating our own plant in Hrstel since autumn 2010
together with our subsidiary, Systec Plastics GmbH. We can now further optimize
innovative processes, test new technology and achieve ideal material y ield for our
customers and for the environment. Because: the more recyclables used in closed
loop systems, the better it is for the environment.
Not only the German Federal Environment Office, but also leading business insti-
tutes confirm that the waste management sector has recorded an excellent CO2
balance. Our annual environmental performance also reveals high eco-efficiency of
packaging recycling. You can read more on this on the following pages.
4
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Founded 1990
Management Stefan Schreiter (CEO); Michael Wiener
Staff 250
Locations Kln, Augsburg, Berlin, Norderstedt
Business fields Household near collection and
recycling of sales packaging
Recycling of transport packaging
Recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment
Facility waste disposal service
Deposit scheme
Subsidiaries Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Kreislaufwirtschaft
und Rohstoffe mbH (DKR) Systec Plastics GmbH
HPI Resource GmbH
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6 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE
How exactly does the recycling of plastics, meta ls, glass and paper help the environ-
ment? We were the first dual system to voluntarily publish an environmental perfor-
mance around ten years ago. Each year we compile a mass flow verification report
detail ing the sales packaging from the yellow bag and the yellow bin, from glass con-
tainers and waste paper collections. And we report on their recycling.
This year, for the first time, we have drawn up a large eco-balance
which not only
records sales packaging from the dual system of DSD, but also al l freely traded
volumes of the Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Kreislaufwirtschaft und Rohstoffe mbH
(DKR).
We not only document the path of packaging from the collection bin through to
the recycling product. We also provide information on the ecological consequences.
We calculate how much energy and resources are consumed during the individual
processes of recycling and how much emission is generated. To do this, we apply
scientifical ly proven and standardized methods and tools such as are described, forexample, in DIN-EN-ISO norms 14040 and 14044. Our environmental performance
is drawn up in accordance with these norms.
The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IFEU), Heidelberg, provides
an expert opinion on the overall environmental performance. This ensures we record
reliable and exact data concerning energy and resource consumption and savings by
recycling.
We compare these values with the amounts of energy, resources and emission saved
by using secondary raw materials. We then compare the results to respective data
from primary production. It is these figures which actually verify the real contribu-
tion we make to the protection of environment and resources and provide ideas for
furt her improvements.
On the following pages you wi ll find our current key figures for the year 2010. They
clearly show how important recycling is for the protection of the climate and of
resources.
Sustainable Plus via
Performance and Innovation
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Lightweight packaging
1,263,083 t
Glass
1,070,548 t
Collected and recycled
total volumes 2010: 2,945,655 t
thereof plastics
626,998 tIt corresponds to
the basic weight of 7,301 wide-bodied aircraft.
And it is the same weight as 214,110
full-grown African elephants.
This weight
is equivalent to that of 51,002 trucks
(12 ton trucks).
Paper
612,024 t
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Savings impact of specific effect categories
Primary energy:2010 59 billion mega-joules of primary energy have been saved
via recycling with the Green Dot. This would be enough to provide power for
468,250 households for one year, the equivalent of the towns of Bochum and
Dortmund together.
Greenhouse effect: The emission of around the equivalent of 1.4 million tons
of CO2 was avoided in 2010 this is the amount of CO2 generated when 348,259
passengers fly from Frankfurt/Main to New York and back.
Fossil Resources: In 2010 recycling saved the equivalent of 496,000 tons of crude
oil. This corresponds to 303 million liters of fuel. This is enough to fuel 3,100 compact
cars for one year with an average consumption of 6.4 liters per 100 kilometers.
Eutrophication: In 2010 DSD recycling contributed in reducing pollution of waters
from phosphoric acid (PO4) by 778,000 kilograms. This decreases overfertilization
and improves oxygen content in waters.
Acidification: Thanks to DSD recycling, in 2010 around 4,909,000 kilograms less
sulfur dioxide (SO2) was emitted into the air. This contributed to reducing the
acidification of the atmosphere, water and soil.
Saved emissions of greenhouse gas (in kg of CO2 equivalents)
3362005
2006
2007
2008
2009 2010
444
451
532
558 555
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9INTERVIEW WITH STEFAN SCHREITER 9
Since its foundation in 1990, DSD stands for closed loop economy. The annual envi-
ronmental performance clearly verifies the high eco-efficiency of packaging recy-
cling. DSD is now presenting this environmental performance report and established
the staff unit of Sustainability. We spoke to DSDs CEO Stefan Schreiter, about new
targets and potential.
Mr Schreiter, DSD GmbH set up waste sorting in Germany via its Green Dot.
Up to now more than 24 million tons of greenhouse gases have been avoided
as a result of collection, sorting and recycling with the Green Dot. The Green
Dot is a success model in 26 countries. Isnt that enough sustainability for you?
Definitely not. We are not the sort of company to rest on its laurels. Stagnation is
death not only for business in a very competit ive market, but also for the environ-
ment. We have to achieve more and bundle our actions even better.
What do you mean exactly?
The Green Dot is indeed a success story and our contribution to securing the envi-
ronment and raw materials is undisputed. Over the past 20 years we have developed
unique know-how in recycling issues. And it is only with this experience that packa-
ging recycling functions today in interplay with the free market. We have asserted
our position as innovating pioneers again and again just take the example of pla-
stics recycling. First we set up the recycling paths and optimized collection and sor-
ting processes to ensure that re-granulate is now a raw material very much in
demand. It is not a coincidence that we are st ill market leader in the core business. By
means of optimized processes and measures we have been able to significantly
improve our contribution to the climate and the environment. But I am still convin-
ced: more is possible.
Mr Schreiter, is that why you have created the new sector, Sustainability?
Thats right. Our services and work practically all contribute to the account of
sustainability. Recycling with the Green Dot is sustainability par excellence.
However, I am a realist: the current financial crisis has significantly increasedsensitivity for energy and raw materia l efficiency. As a company, I believe we have
to take on real responsibility. We must press forward and improve our eco-eff i-
ciency even more. This means we have to analyse our processes and have to
Sustainability pays off
The Green Dot is lived environment protection. Be-cause sustained recycling makes an essential contri-
bution to the protection of the environment, the climate
and resources.
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optimize our services and work and coordinate them better. We have to do
more research and test new processes e.g. in plastics recycling with our new
plant in Hrstel. In short: we must succeed in integrating even more recyclable
material into closed material loops. Sustainability pays off. Recycling of materi-
als makes an important contribution to the raw material supply for the indus-
try. It is an importa nt innovation driver. And it saves the national economy bil-
lions each year.
Mr Schreiter, that sounds like a strong commitment.
Yes. I see it as an obligation. And thats not only because I am CEO and co-owner of
the company. Theres a reason why the business sector of Sustainability is direct ly
linked to general management. Sustainabilit y is corporate strategy! And thats
exactly how our financial investors see it as well. Only a sustainable company is well
equipped to handle future chal lenges. And to maintain its position in competition.
And to promote further innovations with convinced partners. Such innovations may
not pay off from scratch, but they do pay off mid-term. This results in a win-winsituation for the environment and the economy.
What benefits do I have as a DSD customer?
We are not only an innovative and reliable partner. Those cooperating with us con-
tribute their share in reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. We have been issu-
ing a climate certificate to these customers for many years pro rata to our environ-
mental performance. But of course you can a lso benefit from our know-how. For
example, we help our customers to do even more for the environment in their direct
core business.
Mr Schreiter, could you specify an example?
With pleasure. Consider the issues concerning sustainable packaging. Everyone
talks about it but most people dont really know what it means. We have been
handling packaging waste in extensively closed looped systems for more than 20
years. We have become quasi exper ts in the field of packaging. Our recommendation:
when developing packaging, its end must be given more consideration the so-
called Design for Recycling. Packaging design has an influence on how manyresources and how much energy is consumed in its production, but also how well the
packaging can be recycled and re-utilized after use.
Recycling materials provides ecological and economic benefits: each
recycled kilogram of plastic saves the equivalent of 1.3 kilogram CO2.
The German national economy saves 225 million Euro each year by way
of packaging recycling.
An ideal packaging design helps close the material closed-loop system.This reduces costs and increases the contribution to protection of the climate
and resources.
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ABOUT STEFAN SCHREITER
Stefan Schreiter, 46, has been CEO of Der Grne Punkt Duales System Deutschland GmbH
since January 2006.
* You can find more about Fishing for Litter and the film project Plastic Oceans on pages 16 to 19.
A well-coordinated packaging design helps to close material loop systems: this
ensures that waste volumes are reduced and less resources are consumed for new pro-
ducts by using high quality secondary raw materials. And this of course increases the
contribution to the protection of the climate and of resources. We can provide our
customers with profound support in this field. A real added value.
In addition to ecological and environmental factors, sustainability also has a
social, societal dimension.
Absolutely. We have been actively involved for many years in promoting environmental
protection in society, in addition to our actua l core business. This ranges from support
for the German Sustainability Award through to numerous projects with Nature Protec-
tion associations. We are currently providing strong support for actions which increase
public awareness for the topic of Marine Littering. Countless mill ions of tons of waste
end up in our seas which destroy marine ecology and which end up in the food chain via
marine fauna. Thats why we provide national support for the project Fishing for Litter
and international support for Plastic Oceans. * We are convinced that this i ssue affects
all of us. And our motto again is: Dont talk so much about it do something.
Mr Schreiter, thank you very much!
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Young, innovative and growth-
oriented: the market for re-granulatefrom used plastics.
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13SYSTEC PLASTICS GMBH
Systec Plastics GmbH processes 18,000 tons of poly-
propylene each year.
23 staff are employed at the Hrstel location, working
in three shifts.
Automotive parts, logistics systems and much more is
produced from the re-granulate gained.
Plastics recycling has developed rapidly thanks to the development work of DSD
GmbH and its partners in the high-tech industry. DSD now operates its own plant in
the Westphalian town of Hrstel Systec Plastics GmbH, a 100 per cent subsidiary of
the Green Dot. Since 2010 high quality re-granulate has been produced here from used
plastics packaging, and marketed to the plastics industry. This means that the Green
Dot is now active in a market with enormous growth potential and which plays an
important role in raw material supply to the economy.
Systec is currently focusing its activities on polypropylene (PP). 18,000 tons are pro-
cessed each year of this material but this is just the start. Because the market and
local opportunit ies provide sufficient potential for expansion. In addition, Systec
also operates as a technical competence center within the Green Dot corporate
family. One main issue in the field of research and development is the recycling of
high quality mixed plastics. Systec also analyses waste fished out of the North Sea
and the Baltic Sea within the scope of the Fishing for Litter common project with
the Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (NABU: The German Society for NatureConservation).
Lets return to polypropylene: the packaging material is delivered to Hrstel as
mono-material in bales. The valuable plastic is first crushed into rough cuttings
in the plant. A magnet and then a f loat-sink separation system remove metals and
other impurities. The PP cuttings float in the water on the surface, everythi ng else
sinks. Af ter the PP parts have been furt her reduced in size, the separating process
is repeated.
Plastics Recycling
A Plus for the Environment
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Friction scrubbers remove all adhesive impurities with the a id of water and fric-
tion. Then we have the first product, grinding stock. This is then melted and
homogenized in a specia l machine called an extruder. Finally, a micro-filter
removes the last impurities.
The extruder presses the melt through a perforated strainer and cuts the resultant
lines into small plastic nuggets, the re-granulate. This forms the basic material for
the injection molding production, i.e. for the manufacture of automotive parts,
logistics systems, boxes, bins, pipes or plant trays and pots.
Systec markets the majority of its products within a radius of just a few hundredkilometers in Germany and neighboring countries, such as the Netherlands. The
young market for re-granulate provides enormous development potential. Crude oil
is becoming ever scarcer, and the plastics made from this are becoming ever more
expensive. High qual ity re-granulate therefore provides a favorably priced alternative
in comparable quality.
The valuable raw materia ls are reta ined for the closed-loop economy. However,
recycling plast ics does not only contribute to economical production, but above
all to climate protection: each kilogram of plastic the consumer passes on for
recycling via the yellow bag, instead of throwing it into the residual waste bin,
saves almost 1.3 kilogram of CO2, which is harmful to the environment.
Crude oil is becoming scarce high quality re-granulate is therefore
becoming more important.
Plastics recycling contributes to a reliable raw material supply of the
economy.
This young, innovative market will continue to develop in the coming years
and in parallel the contribution to environmental protection will grow.
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ANDITI QUAE VELITIO EOSSERIA 15
Systec-Regranulate is top quality and
provides a favorably priced alternativeto new goods.
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16
Plastic bags, yoghurt cups, PET bottles often ground into tiny pieces by the
current and the waves. A plastic soup is afloat on our oceans which has now
reached unimaginable proportions. Experts estimate that approx. 80 per cent
of marine waste originates from terrestrial sources. Giant floating waste dumps
are endangering the ecology of the oceans. Pollution can develop into a serious
threat for marine flora and fauna and via the food chain also for humans.
The appallingly high l itter pollution of the oceans is symbolic of the throw-away
mentality of the 21st century. Our business is a closed-loop economy and we
think and act in line w ith closed loops. And that is why we cannot idly observe
how the achievements of the 20th century which include plastic packaging
become an ecological threat, instead of being usefu lly collected and recycled or
treated for re-utilization.
Plastic packaging has become an integral part of todays consumer society and
fulf ils a number of useful purposes: it not only ensures the hygienic protection
required, enables transportation, also across long distances, ex tends the shelf life
of products and much more. But plastic packaging has absolutely no place in theocean. That is why we wish to a rouse sustained public awareness and to show pos-
sible solutions. And t hat is why the Green Dot has been supporting two i mportant
projects since 2011, which both counteract the problem of Marine Littering.
MARINE LITTERING
Green Dot combats Waste
in the Oceans
Waste in the ocean is not only a danger for fishing; it is disastrous for the
marine eco-system.
National:The Green Dot supports the Fishing for Litter project of NABU.
We research the composition of waste from the North Sea and the Baltic
Sea and the possibilities of recycling.
Sustainable packaging recycling protects the oceans: each packaging
recycled cannot enter the water.
International: To increase public awareness, the Green Dot strongly sup-
ports the global film project, Plastic Oceans, which is also to be used
worldwide in school education.
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20,000 tons of waste land in theNorth Sea each year and for the
Baltic Sea there isnt as yet any
data available.
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The Green Dot supports the global film project Plastic Oceans
Litter pollution in the oceans(Marine Littering) appears to be progressing incessantly.
Between California and Hawaii alone there is a waste carpet which has now reached the
dimension of central Europe. The aim of the film project Plastic Oceans is to make the
public aware of this dramatic development and its serious consequences.
Within the scope of its anti-littering commitment, the Green Dot is a main sponsor in
this ambitious project and presents the German system for collecting and recycling
packaging waste as a best-practice solution for the reduction of waste depositing in the
oceans. Our participation in the Fishing for Litter project in the North Sea and Baltic
Sea is also dealt with as well as issues concerning the recycling of plastic waste.
The film which is in English will probably be released in 2012 in various formats ranging
from a 30 minute film for schools to a 90 minute movie. Plastic Oceans is supported by a
foundation of the same name. Partners include i.a. WWF Netherlands, British
Plastics&Rubber and Naturschutzbund Deutschland e. V. (NABU). More about Plastic
Oceans is available at www.plasticoceans.net
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On a national level we are involved in the project Fishing for Litter. This is a
unique pilot project in Germany which has been initiated by the German Societ y
for Nature Conservation (NABU) together with regional partners and Der Grne
Punkt Duales System Deutschland GmbH (DSD). The aim of the project is to set
up regional structures for effective waste disposal at selected ports on the Baltic
Sea coast and to f ind out more about the composition and origin of the waste. The
initiators rely on the commitment of the fishermen from the Fishing Associations
of Fehmarn and Heiligenhafen. These associat ions receive free collection bags from
NABU in which waste found in their nets can be collected and transported.
Up to now only the ecological consequences of the waste depot in the sea for the
North Sea have been documented in Germany. Here alone, more than 20,000
tons of waste end up in the sea each year; large parts of the Baltic Sea are also
contaminated. According to NABU the main causes are tourism, shipping andfishing. A large section of t he waste is also fed i nto the ocean via rivers. Such
waste mainly comprises plastic which sometimes needs several hundred years
before it completely decomposes. Tiny plastic particles are also eaten by fish and
then end up in the food chain for humans. Seals a nd other marine creatures can
also become victims of waste.
In addition to the collection bags, the project Fishing for Litter also provides
fishermen with the opportunity of d isposing the waste they have caught free of
charge on land. Closed containers are available at the ports participating in the
project, to which only the fishermen have a key. The fished waste is transported
by DSD to the recycling plant of Systec Plastics GmbH in Hrstel. The waste is
sorted and analysed here. Within the scope of the project, findings are systema-
tically documented for the first time. The analyses focus on the question of com-
position of the respective waste caught and t he quality of the material. Can it be
re-utilized or recycled? In the case of waste which cannot be recycled, the Green
Dot and Systec ensure harmless and appropriate disposal.
With its commitment against Marine Littering the Green Dot wants to bring
about a change of heart in society. We can only achieve much if we pull together.
And just how much ca n be achieved has been proven by the Green Dot over the
last 20 years.
We wil l continue to take on responsibility wit hin society in future. You can t akeus at our word. You will find more interesting information on the Green Dot and
our current projects at our website: www.gruener-punkt .de
Around 20,000 tons of waste land in the North Seaalone each year.
More than one million seabirds and marine mammals
die as a result of waste each year worldwide.
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Published byDer Grne Punkt Duales System Deutschland GmbH,Frankfurter Strae 720726, 51145 Kln-Porz-Eil, Phone: +49 02203 937-0,
Fax: +49 02203 937-190 Layout rheinfaktor Agentur fr Kommunikation,
Kln, www.rheinfaktor.de Printed on IGEPA Circle Silk, 100% recycled paper
S N b 2011