Pöppelmann TEKU turns household waste into plant pots

German plastics processing manufacturer Pöppelmann TEKU has created a plant pot made from 100% post-consumer recycling material.

The material for the VCC 16.5 K round pot comes entirely from North American household plastic waste, from products that have already been in use. The waste is collected, professionally processed and recycled.

It was created as part of the PÖPPELMANN blue initiative, which uses different measures to conserve resources and protect the climate, making effective use of the circular economy. 

The pot itself is also recyclable. It's manufactured in the U.S. from 100% PCR plastic, color (masterbatch) and filler.

The company says the pot is light yet stable; can be stacked easily; supports optimum irrigation and drainage for rapid growth and healthy plants; and designed for trouble-free handling in automated horticultural processes with a sturdy facetted rim.

It's available in all standard and customer-specific colors, except black, as black plastics can't be recycled in the standard recycling process. It's also ideal for printing for marketing purposes, the company said.

"We are very proud that we are doing pioneering work on the North American market with this product. With the plant pot, which is made exclusively from PCR material, we are helping our customers to make their own contribution to conserving resources and protecting the climate," says Alex McCrary, sales manager at Pöppelmann TEKU.

The company produces plastic products for the global markets in the automotive, medical, food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and horticulture industries.

Pöppelmann, founded in 1949, has six production sites and 700 injection molding machines, thermoforming lines and extruders, with three plants and 2,300 employees at its headquarters in Lohne (Lower Saxony), Germany.

For more information, visit poeppelmann.com/us/company.