AVK sustainability report 2023 with links A4 - Flipbook - Page 26
RECYCLED PLASTIC IN OUR
PRODUCTION
Recycled plastics is a
value-adding component in
the product manufacturing
process in the AVK plastic
companies. Thousands of
tonnes of recycled plastics
go into production every
year.
The plastics companies in the AVK Group
development, manufacture and sell injection
moulded plastic products, such as valves,
street covers and components for the sister
companies in AVK. In addition, the plastics
companies also contribute with products
to other market segments, such as waste
containers and plastic pallets. AVK Plast in
Denmark manufactures ergonomic waste
containers for Danish municipalities, renovators,
and citizens. Plastic pallets, which are
produced at our companies in the Netherlands,
Denmark, and Germany, use the majority of our
consumption of recycled plastics.
plastics manufacturing unit in AVK and is fully
dedicated to processing recycled plastics
and actively pursues partnerships to develop
applications for unused plastics waste streams
to support increased levels of recycling.
How AVK recycling plastics
Circularity of materials is becoming increasingly
important, and recycling is an important part
of AVK’s business. The growth of the world
population and our current way of living makes
us consume natural resources faster than they
can be generated. Environmental pollution from
end-of-life product waste is another major
topic, especially for materials as lasting as
plastics. Implementing circularity also reduces
CO2 emissions significantly. All good reasons to
work with recycling.
DPB is a non-profit organisation that since
1994 has managed a pool of pallets for all
major Dutch breweries and many soft drink
producers. To improve their carbon footprint,
DPB was one of the first to switch from wooden
pallets to recycled plastic pallets in 2013, which
are converted into new pallets again at their
end-of-life. Compared to wooden pallets, plastic
pallets have a longer lifespan and there is no
need for repair. The pallets weigh 40% less
than wooden pallets, enabling one person to
handle the plastic pallet while complying with
Dutch health and safety legislation.
Our plastics companies focus on using plastics
from consumer waste and recycled 26,000
tonnes in the financial year 2022/23. AVK
Plastics in Balk, the Netherlands, is our largest
26 | AVK Sustainability report 2022/2023
Consumer product brand owners are
increasingly aware of their responsibilities
and the benefits of doing business in a more
sustainable way. More companies choose
individually or collectively on behalf of their
sector to use pallets from recycled plastics in a
managed pool to serve their logistic needs and
move away from wooden pallets.
In 2022, AVK Plastics won the tender to
supply one million plastic pallets to DPB’s pool
over a period of approximately 10 years. AVK
Plastics has optimised the product design
and manufacturing of the pallet and started
deliveries during 2023.
According to a recent study by Plastics
Europe, “The Circular Economy for Plastics A European Overview, 2022 Edition Report”,
65% of the EU’s plastics waste is not yet
covered by the circular economy. There is
therefore enormous potential in this area.
