Return options for empty packaging
Under the Act on the Placing on the Market, Take-Back and High-Quality Recycling of Packaging (short: “Packaging Act” or “VerpackG”), packaging that has been completely emptied is to be reused or recycled.
By collecting and reusing packaging, valuable resources can be conserved. This reduces the amount of materials and energy required to produce new packaging and also decreases the volume of waste that burdens the environment. For these reasons, the RW Group / RW GmbH places great importance on the recycling of packaging, also from a sustainability perspective.
The Packaging Act distinguishes between packaging that is subject to system participation and packaging that is not subject to system participation.
Take-back systems in which Raiffeisen Waren GmbH participates
PAMIRA is a take-back system for packaging of plant protection products and liquid fertilizers. At our participating locations, plastic and metal plant protection canisters, folding cartons, as well as paper and plastic sacks are accepted on specified dates. Please find our participating locations and the respective collection dates via the following external link:
Find PAMIRA collection points | Pamira
There are no costs for you when using the PAMIRA system. Please note, however, that the packaging must be completely emptied, rinsed, open and dry, and must bear the PAMIRA logo. Lids and other packaging components must be handed in separately. Packaging volumes exceeding 15 m³ must be registered in advance with the respective collection point. Containers larger than 50 liters must be cut open. Further information on the acceptance conditions can be found on the website of RIGK GmbH via the following external link:
Via ERDE Recycling, sorted and cleaned agricultural plastics are collected at participating locations on specified dates. These include, among others, stretch films, silage films, round bale nets, and baler twines. Round bale nets and baler twines must be collected in bags, which are available at the collection points. Information on participating locations and the respective collection dates can be found via the following external link:
Find a collection point | Erde-Recycling
As a rule, fees apply for returns via ERDE Recycling. Please inquire about the exact costs at the respective collection points. Further information on the acceptance conditions can be found on the website of the Erntekunststoffe Recycling Deutschland initiative via the following external link:
Via Interzero Circular Solutions Germany GmbH, the collection of completely emptied transport packaging as well as completely emptied commercial sales and secondary packaging can be arranged. For the conditions and modalities of return, please refer to our packaging return conditions. An overview of the services provided by Interzero Circular Solutions Germany GmbH can be found via the following external link:
Packaging Return Conditions of Raiffeisen Waren GmbH
1. Non-reusable packaging will only be taken back on the basis of a special agreement or where a statutory obligation exists.
2. We would like to point out that all empty packaging within the meaning of Section 15 (1) of the German Packaging Act (VerpackG) of the same type, shape, and size as the packaging used by us can be returned to the respective selling branch or market through which the sale was made.
For business customers, we are entitled to pass on the costs incurred for this. For private customers, however, the return of the aforementioned packaging takes place at the place of actual handover or in its immediate vicinity at our expense.
The collection of the following empty transport packaging as well as sales and outer packaging that, after use, does not typically arise as waste for private end consumers (hereinafter referred to as “commercial sales and outer packaging”) can be arranged for disposal with Interzero Circular Solutions Germany GmbH, subject to compliance with the collection criteria listed below and stating manufacturer number 96819 as well as the packaging volume, via the Interzero telephone hotline: +49 (2203) 91471366 (service provider commissioned by us).
| Fraction | Quality | Swap container | Emptying container | Collection bags | Loose collection |
| Paper, cardboard, paperboard | Used paper and cardboard packaging consisting of at least 70% corrugated cardboard, with the remainder being solid board and packing paper. Dry. | Yes, bulk density: 80 kg/m³. | Yes, 50 kg/m³. | No. | Minimum quantity 2 m³, in coordination with the waste disposal company, bundled flat. |
| PE films (transparent, colored, stretch or bubble wrap) | As far as possible, material-homogeneous labels (e.g. PE film/PE labels). Dry. No contamination with chemicals (residual contents), oil, paints, or waste. | Yes, bulk density 25 kg/m³. | Yes, 17 kg/m³. | In transparent 1–2.5 m³ PE single-use bags. Minimum collection quantity 2 m³, 17 kg/m³. | No. |
| PE and PP buckets | Sorted by plastic type, completely emptied, i.e. free of residue by scraping, dripping, and pouring; wiped clean; residual contents max. 3% of the net packaging weight. Non-material-matching handles (e.g. metal) must be removed; not compacted (not pressed) and not sealed. | By arrangement with Interzero. | No. | Collected in 1 m³ Interzero big bags, minimum collection quantity 1 m³. | Only by arrangement with Interzero (e.g. for drums > 100 l), from 10 units. |
| Tinplate / blackplate | Sorted by type of metal packaging, completely emptied, i.e. free of residue by scraping, dripping, and pouring; wiped clean; residual contents max. 3% of the net packaging weight; not compacted and not sealed. | By arrangement with Interzero. | No. | Collected in 1 m³ Interzero big bags, minimum collection quantity 1 m³. | Only by arrangement with Interzero (e.g. for drums > 100 l), from 10 units. |
| PE/PP big bags | Completely emptied, free from external contamination, free-flowing, drip-free. No foreign materials such as cardboard, wood, metals, plastics, glass, etc. Dry. | Only after coordination with the waste disposal company. | Only after coordination with the waste disposal company. | Collected in 1 m³ big bags. | Minimum quantity 20 big bags. |
The collection/acceptance conditions of the service provider commissioned by us apply. These can be viewed via the following link: Minimum quantities and collection criteria. Contrary to the wording in the heading, this information sheet applies both to transport packaging and to commercial sales and secondary packaging.
Any additional costs incurred as a result of your failure to comply with the service provider’s collection/acceptance conditions shall be borne by you.
To ensure legally compliant disposal of packaging from products containing hazardous substances as well as system-incompatible sales and secondary packaging within the meaning of Section 15 (1) No. 3 and No. 4 of the Packaging Act (VerpackG), we point out that such packaging must under no circumstances be disposed of via municipal waste collection. Subject to the above cost provisions, we therefore expressly recommend returning such packaging to the respective selling establishment.
In addition, you are of course welcome at any time to contact us directly regarding the modalities of packaging return.
3. Packaging return is carried out primarily for the purpose of preparing for reuse and recycling.
Any further questions? Feel free to send us an email at: verpackungen@rw.net
