Cologne, August 3, 2026. GreenDot and DUO PLAST AG have received the German Packaging Award 2026 in the “Logistics and Material Flow” category for their jointly developed stretch film DUO EARTH YELLOW BACK. The film represents an important step forward in the use of post-consumer recyclates (PCR) in technically demanding packaging applications: for the first time, a stretch film contains up to 10 percent GreenDot’s PCR derived from household packaging waste collected via the Yellow Bag/Yellow Bin system. With a total PCR content of 35 percent, the film combines high performance with a clear contribution to the circular economy.
Stretch films are used to secure pallets and loads during transportation and storage and must meet the highest requirements in terms of stretchability, recovery force and load stability. Until now, the use of recyclates from household waste collection systems in this type of application was considered difficult to achieve. With DUO EARTH YELLOW BACK, it has been possible for the first time to incorporate high-quality recyclate from household packaging waste into a stretch film while maintaining the demanding performance and processing characteristics required in logistics applications.
The successful development of DUO EARTH YELLOW BACK is the result of a close collaboration between GreenDot and DUO PLAST, combining expertise in waste sorting, recycling, recyclate production and high-performance stretch film manufacturing.
"DUO EARTH YELLOW BACK shows how circular economy solutions can be brought to market through close cooperation across the value chain. GreenDot's unique position, spanning EPR, sorting, recycling and recyclate production, helps enable innovations such as this one. Our ambition is to provide solutions that are both environmentally and economically attractive, helping to make the circular economy for plastics more competitive and scalable," says Denis Völler, Managing Director of Der Grüne Punkt, the German subsidiary of GreenDot.
The film delivers the same high level of product performance as conventional stretch films and can be used both as a hand stretch film and as a machine stretch film. At the same time, it allows companies to continue using their existing packaging processes and machinery without modification. In addition to its functional benefits, the innovative stretch film helps reduce carbon emissions. Every kilogram of recycled material used to replace virgin plastic has been shown to reduce the product carbon footprint and conserve primary energy resources.*
Furthermore, the solution enables companies to prepare at an early stage for the requirements of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will introduce mandatory minimum recycled content targets for plastic packaging. It can also provide economic benefits for brand owners and producers by supporting eligibility for eco-modulation schemes in countries where such mechanisms already exist or are being introduced, including Germany.
“This award confirms that innovation and sustainability are not mutually exclusive. Together with GreenDot, we have succeeded in developing a stretch film that meets the highest standards in logistics and enables the use of recycled material from the yellow bag. It is also a powerful example of what is possible when partners pool their expertise and work together to develop sustainable packaging solutions that set new standards,” says Tobias Helm, Head of Sales at DUO PLAST AG.
With the German Packaging Award, the jury recognizes an innovation that combines outstanding technical performance with a tangible contribution to the circular economy. DUO EARTH YELLOW BACK demonstrates that recyclates from household packaging waste can also be used in highly demanding packaging applications and therefore represents an important step towards a more sustainable packaging future.
The award ceremony will take place on November 19, 2026, in Berlin, Germany.
* Based on the environmental profile developed by ifeu – Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg.
About DUO PLAST AG:
DUO PLAST AG develops and manufactures high-quality packaging films as well as comprehensive solutions for securing goods during transport. The company is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers of blown stretch films and combines packaging films, packaging machinery, and packaging optimization into a comprehensive portfolio of solutions. At its in-house Test Center for Transport Packaging, DUO PLAST develops and validates customized packaging concepts that reduce material usage, costs, and CO₂ emissions while simultaneously improving the stability of load units. With innovative film solutions, including products containing a high proportion of post-consumer recycled materials (PCR), the company has been committed for many years to advancing a functioning circular economy. DUO PLAST AG manufactures at its German locations and supplies customers in industry, retail, and logistics worldwide.
About the Green Dot company:
The Green Dot company is service provider for extended producer responsibility, leading supplier of secondary raw materials for plastics, and premium producer of plastic recyclates, and as such positioned as the premier solution provider for the needs of the circular economy. The Der Grüne Punkt Holding GmbH & Co. KG, with the Green Dot® as its trademark, was among the companies to introduce and establish the dual system in Germany, and stands for intelligent take-back systems, plus the development and marketing of innovative recyclates and services. Systec Plastics, at its facilities in Eisfeld and Hörstel, produces premium-quality recyclates under the Systalen® brand name for the international market. Der Grüne Punkt Holding GmbH & Co. KG belongs to the group of companies Green Dot Global S.à r.l.
Your contact person:
Marlene Staiger, info(at)green-dot.com
www.gruener-punkt.de
