Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Breaking Down Our Packaging

recycle

JIMMY JOY & RECYCLING

Sustainability is a key value at Jimmy Joy. That's why we offset CO2 emissions by planting trees, for example. We also provide multiple meals per delivery so there's less packaging waste and fewer shipments. Plus: our meals are made from 100% plant-based ingredients! But besides simply reducing packaging waste, we also want to make sure that the packaging itself is as environmentally friendly as possible and can also be disposed of that way. Let's take a look at what we do when it comes to recycling!

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle

First of all, we use the reduce , reuse and recycle principle. To reduce waste, we have the regular Plenny Shake and Plenny Shake Active (XXL) pouches. Each pouch contains 10 meals and the Plenny Shake Active contains 25 meals! That’s 9 or 24 fewer individually packaged meals! Secondly, some of our packaging can also be reused . Scroll down for some ideas in case you want to see Jimmy Joy in your home for a little while longer. And last but not least, our packaging is recyclable – after you finish your Plenny Drink , simply crush the packaging and throw it into the plastic bin. Simple, right?

OUR PACKAGING

Plenny Shake & Plenny Shake Active

The bags our Plenny Shakes come in are different from each other. Plenny Shake V3.0 is packaged in a combination of OPP20, PET12 and PE90, while Plenny Shake Active comes in bags made from a combination of PET12 and PE130 plastic. Both versions fall into plastic recycling category 7 (more on this later) because they consist of mixed plastics. Preferably, we would only use one type of plastic for the bags, as it is better recycled, but unfortunately, this is currently not an option. The mixed plastic ensures that the product inside is well protected from external influences such as water, air and light. If exposed, it could negatively influence the shelf life of our meals. A long shelf life is important to us because it prevents food waste! Category 7 still means that it can go into the plastic bin and possibly be recycled.

Stirrer & Measuring Spoon

Our measuring spoons , but also our stirrers , are made of polypropylene (PP), which is a category 5 plastic. We chose PP because it can be injection molded and because it is strong for its weight. Despite being lightweight, it can withstand a lot. Plus, PP is fully recyclable – if you somehow manage to break your scoop, just throw it away in the plastic bin. Maybe next time you buy a new ice scraper at the store, you’ll find your recycled scoop!

Plenny Drinks

Plenny Drink packaging is made from layered materials: paper/cardboard, aluminium and polymers. Most beverage cartons are made from this combination of materials, because each of these materials is recyclable. Paper can be broken down into fibres and reused in other paper products. This is done by immersing the packaging in water. In doing so, the layers separate from each other and can be sorted into respective groups for recycling. The paper used for our beverage cartons is made from 53% FSC cardboard, although not from recycled materials. Aluminium is also recyclable and is used in our beverage cartons for its protective and preservative qualities: it provides a barrier between the contents of the packaging and the light and air from outside, which can degrade the quality of the food.

As for the plastic in our packaging, the plastic layers, once stripped, can be recycled in the same way as normal plastic. The bottle cap is made of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) and can be disposed of with the plastic waste – you can simply leave the cap on your Plenny Drink. As for the box that Plenny Drinks come in, it is made of 100% recycled paper and has a 70% FSC blend label – this can be easily removed, flattened and thrown into the paper bin.

Plenny Pots

Just like the Plenny Drink packaging, you can also throw the Plenny Pot packaging into the plastic bin, but after removing the paper wrapper. The pots themselves are made from 100% recycled plastic (100% polypropylene) and are 100% recyclable. The wrappers are made from 100% cardboard and can be disposed of in the bin. The seals on the pots are made from PET plastic, so they can also be placed in the plastic bin. In addition to everything being recyclable, our packaging also has an Origin Green certification, which means it is part of a sustainability program that strives to be as sustainable as possible. Origin Green promotes and supports sustainable production processes when it comes to food manufacturing. Hooray for being sustainable every step of the way!

Plenny Bar

Our Plenny Bar comes individually wrapped, but they come in a box that shows them off perfectly. The box is made from 650 micron thick cardboard, which is made from 380GSM virgin fibre board. It is FSC labelled, recyclable, biodegradable and also compostable. As for the inks used on them: they are all plant-based!

The wrappers our bars come in are made from OPP20 and GNR20 Matt OPP, which gives them their matte appearance. OPP means it is made from (oriented) polypropylene, which falls into category 5 of the plastic recycling list.

IMPROVEMENT PLANS

As you know, we are always striving to improve our meals and services. This also applies to our packaging. Take a look at what we are preparing and our future goals:

We are currently testing different Plenny Shake (Active) packaging alternatives: recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, and biodegradable. We need to test these materials over a longer period of time because it could negatively impact the shelf life of our meals, defeating the purpose of sustainability. We aim to switch to one of these options in 2022.
So far, Plenny Bars come in a paper box wrapped in plastic. Starting with the next batch, we will replace the plastic with a biodegradable sticker to seal the box.
For Plenny Pots, we are looking into the possibilities of changing from individual pots to a larger 1kg bag containing multiple meals, similar to Plenny Shake.
And last but not least, we are considering an even more sustainable version of the Plenny Drink packaging we are already using. This version has 19% more plant-based material compared to the one we are currently using and produces 17% less CO2 emissions. We are also looking at larger bottles or bottles made from recycled plastic.

BUT FOR NOW...

If you'd like to reuse our packaging before sending it off for recycling, we're here to inspire you! Check out this post to see how you can repurpose a Plenny Drink package, or check out this tutorial to see how you can make a pouch from your Plenny Shake pouch. Do you have the starter box left? Or even multiple? Check out this post and this post . We're sure there's something for you! Happy recycling!

RECYCLING OUTSIDE JIMMY JOY

Here in the Netherlands, most of us separate our trash. We separate organic waste, plastic, paper, and residual waste, and we can be fined 95 Euros if we are caught throwing our waste in the wrong bin [1]. This way of waste disposal was implemented to be more environmentally friendly and to ensure that each type of waste is disposed of correctly or recycled [2]. So, plastic and paper trash is recycled, but what exactly happens to it? Below we will give you a general idea of how it works, but recycling guidelines and processes differ by country, or even by city, so we recommend checking with your local guides just to be sure of the details.

SAVE THE TURTLES!

Let’s start with plastic. We’ve all seen those pictures of oceans polluted with plastic waste and turtles trapped in 6-pack rings. In 2010, around 270 million tons of plastic were produced and from what we could see, between 10,000 and 100,000 tons of plastic ended up in the oceans [3]. That’s a lot of plastic!

save the turtles

We try to avoid further polluting the environment by reusing and reducing our waste. By throwing our plastics into a bin, they can be sent to a recycling center, essentially reducing the chances of those plastics ending up in the ocean. But some types of plastic are allowed in those bins, and others are not... Why?

THE TYPES

Plastic comes in all different types, and depending on the type, it is either recycled, incinerated, or thrown away. If you have ever looked at, say, an empty Cola bottle, you may have seen the recycling symbol with a number inside. This symbol tells you that you can put it in the recycling bin, and the number inside tells you what type of plastic it is. These numbers range from 1 to 7. Let's take a look at all the different types of plastics that you may or may not have heard of.

1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET/PETE)

PET is a (usually) clear, strong, lightweight, food-grade plastic, which is primarily used for packaging food and beverages. The plastic is made from ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid (as the name suggests), which are combined. Once combined, they are made into PET strands, and after cooling and cutting into small pellets, these resin pellets are heated until they melt and are shaped into the desired form [4]. As mentioned above, PET is mainly used for packaging, such as water and soft drink bottles, plastic containers, and packaging trays, not only in the food industry, but also in the cosmetics industry [5]. PET can also be used to make mesh fabrics, synthetic fibers, textiles (polyester), and is used in the electrical and electronics industry due to its good electrical insulation properties, and in the automotive industry [6, 7].

2. High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

HDPE is a flexible and weather-resistant thermoplastic, meaning it can be molded with heat and stays in shape after cooling again. It is manufactured at low pressure (10-80 bar) and at low temperatures (70-300 °C) [8]. It also has good low temperature resistance. With these properties, HDPE is useful in many industries. It is mainly used in packaging such as milk bottles and caps, yogurt containers, and more, but apart from that, it is used in consumer goods such as trash bags and cutting boards, but also in toys. It is also used in fibers and textiles, pipes, wiring and cables, and can be made into sheets [9, 10].

3. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or vinyl (V)

PVC is something you must have heard of before, probably in the form of pipes. PVC, like PET, is a resin that is used in many different products, and there are many forms of PVC: both flexible and rigid. There are more, but we will only focus on those two.

Pure PVC is rigid, strong and fire-resistant (it can only be molded at temperatures above 100°C), making it useful in construction, where it is used for pipes, door and window frames, ducts and house cladding [11]. Aside from that, it is also used in packaging (mainly bottles), curtain rails, audio and video tape cases, credit cards, road signs and much more [12].

Flexible PVC is heated and mixed with plasticizers to soften it and make it less rigid, allowing it to be used for other products such as cling wrap, shower curtains, garden hoses, blood transfusion bags and tubes, conveyor belts, toys, and much more [11, 12]. Yes, we say a lot “much more”. If you are really interested in the uses of different plastics, we recommend you check out the sources below.

4. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

LDPE is a strong, flexible, soft plastic, and is manufactured differently than HDPE, as it is produced at the same temperatures, but under high pressure (between 1000 and 3000 bar) [8]. It is often used for (food) packaging material, such as squeeze bottles (think ketchup or other sauces); plastic film used to wrap foods such as fruit or meat, frozen food bags, packaging for snacks and dairy products [13]. When not used in packaging, LPDE is used to produce water pipes and hoses for such pipes, flexible toys, wiring and cables, other types of film, and household items. However, LPDE is primarily used for plastic (shopping) bags [8] which, by the way, are reusable. Do it.

5. Polypropylene (PP)

PP is a very versatile plastic, found in your kitchen, maybe your cupboard, your car, the hospital… Yes, you get it. It is found in many places in many items. This is because it has a high melting point, is resistant to some common chemicals, is durable, and can be flexible and deformed without breaking [14]. Because of its high melting point, you can find it in your kitchen, in microwave containers, dishes, internal electronics, and in medical applications (because it can be sterilized with steam and alcohol without the risk of breaking the plastic) [15]. Aside from that, it can also be found in food packaging, bottles and jars, sportswear, carpets, and toys [16]. Toys benefit from PP because of its durability, and so do our measuring spoons!

6. Polystyrene (PS)

Polystyrene is one of the most common types of plastic and can be divided into three different types of PS: polystyrene, extruded polystyrene foam (XPS), and expanded polystyrene foam (EPS). Polystyrene is a clear, hard, brittle plastic, often used in plastic cutlery and clear packaging, but can also be used for sturdier items such as children's toys (with added coloring), electronics, flower pots, and more [17].

Extruded polystyrene foam is the "original" polystyrene foam - the name is a trademark of a company called Dow. This foam is tough and water resistant, and is often used as a building insulation material.[18]

The last type of PS is expanded polystyrene foam, which is sometimes also called Styrofoam, even though it's not made by Dow. The name is probably used because it's much easier to remember than expanded polystyrene, which makes sense. EPS is made differently than XPS, which gives it a different look and feel. It's not waterproof, but it has many more uses than XPS because it's softer. It's often used in food containers, coffee cups, or in packing filler. Yes, exactly: those giant blocks consisting of tiny beads that make your hair stand up, and those white Cheetos that look edible.

7. Various

The seventh category is for miscellaneous types of plastics – plastics that don’t fit into any of the previous categories. They typically consist of non-recyclable plastics or mixed plastics. So no, most plastics found in this category are not traditionally recycled, although some curbside collection programs do collect them [10]. Some examples of items made from plastics in this category include safety glasses and shields, headlight lenses, some food containers, and bottles. However, there is one type of plastic we want to mention in particular – biodegradable plastic. More on that below.

BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC

Biodegradable sounds like a step in the right direction, right? A biodegradable plastic means that if left in the environment, it will degrade over time under the right conditions [19]. Other times, the term is used when a plastic is also compostable. Often, biodegradable plastics are confused with bio-based plastics, which are plastics made from biological resources (such as Miscan or Giganteus, also known as elephant grass, sugar extracted from sugar cane or corn, or microorganisms), as opposed to fossil fuel-based resources [20]. However, just because a plastic is bio-based does not mean it is biodegradable, and also the other way around: some fossil fuel-based plastics are biodegradable. As of now, the terms are still used interchangeably and cause confusion: clearer labeling is needed, according to the European Environment Agency [21], so that people know better what to do with the types of plastics. And here we add to the confusion: some bioplastics cannot even be composted or biodegraded [19]!

However, that doesn't mean they are useless! Bioplastics that cannot be biodegraded can still be recycled, and this can be done in two ways. The first way is regular recycling, where bioplastics are broken down, either by melting or pelletizing, and then reused in other products again. The second way is biowaste: plastic is composted into biowaste, which can then be used as fertilizer for new crops or as biogas for renewable energy [22]. Some biobased biodegradable plastics can even be composted at home, although in most cases, plastics will only degrade under very specific circumstances. In some cases, where biobased plastics cannot be recycled or composted, they are incinerated, which recovers energy. So just because bioplastics end up in Category 7 doesn't mean they've all been dumped in a landfill, but there's currently a strong chance they will.

According to NatureWorks, bioplastics manufacturing produces 80% less greenhouse gases than traditional plastics production, meaning it’s better for the environment [23]. Plus, using bio-based materials means we’re not depleting the finite source of fossil fuels as quickly. Still, we’re not known for being easily convinced, so we dug a little deeper.

A 2010 study claims that bioplastic production might not be less harmful to the environment after all [24]. Bioplastic production resulted in a higher amount of pollutants, as fertilizers and pesticides are needed for crop production. Also, chemical processing is needed to convert the organic material into a usable plastic. So, according to them, the manufacturing process might be more harmful after all. Interesting findings, right?

However, so far it seems that bioplastic production can have a positive impact on the environment. Since this study, further research has been conducted, and multiple studies have found that bioplastic production has a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emission compared to biofuels [25, 26]. This is why bioplastics are increasingly being introduced, mostly in single-use items such as cutlery, plates, straws, cups, food packaging, and bags, so mainly in things that do not need to be used for a long time. As of now, bioplastics and biodegradable plastics only account for about 1% of all plastic production, as the capacity to make it is only the same, but predictions are that by 2025, this percentage will increase to 2.5% [27, 28].

SO... DO I NEED 7 OR 8 DIFFERENT PLASTIC CONTAINERS?

Good news: no! All types of plastic can be put into the plastic bin. In some countries, such as the Netherlands, aluminium, steel or tin cans (whether for soft drinks or food) also go into this bin. To be completely sure what and how you can recycle, check your local recycling guide. After your rubbish is collected, it is sent to a recycling centre, where it is sorted. You don't need to fill your house and garden with rubbish bins if they are all collected on the same day and thrown into the same truck anyway. But... What happens after the truck picks up all this plastic waste? Let's find out.

THE JOURNEY OF YOUR PLASTIC CUP

What exactly happens to plastic can differ by country, but we'll outline the general process to give you an idea of what might happen to that plastic cup you've recently thrown away.

Once you have sorted your plastic, it is collected and sent to recycling facilities. Here, the plastics are separated according to their type and sometimes also their colour. It makes sense to separate them this way – the same types of plastics can be put together and depending on the type, the next step can be decided. The sorting process has many steps and is usually done by machines or robots, but in some cases (like in the US) there are also human workers first who sort out plastics that might jam the machine (think plastic bags or items that won’t fit) before the rest goes into a mechanical sorter [29]. Using magnets, steel or aluminium is separated from the plastics, and the plastics themselves are sorted by colour using an optical scanner and by plastic type using infrared lasers [29, 30].

Once sorted, the plastic is washed to remove impurities. These impurities could damage new products, so it's important to clean plastics of these before they are processed further. Impurities could be the glue that's still on your Coca Cola bottle after you've torn off the wrapper, or food residue that you didn't clean off before throwing away the packaging.

Immediately after washing, the plastic is shredded or remelted and resized into smaller pieces: usually into pellets or granules. After this, the plastic is sorted again, but this time based on its qualities. They are sorted and collected by quality (such as density, melting points, etc.) and then sent to the final recycling process: making something new. This can be done at the same facility or at other facilities if they are better equipped for it.

Because there are different types of plastics, there are also different recycling methods: traditional recycling and advanced recycling [31].

Traditional recycling

This is also sometimes called mechanical recycling. This method is mainly suitable for recycling thermoplastic materials, meaning that PET, PVC and HDPE are most likely recycled this way. LDPE, despite being the same material as HDPE, is harder to recycle and it is often recommended to reuse LDPE products rather than recycle them. This also applies to the other two types of plastic: since they are flimsier, they are harder to recycle as they might break apart in machinery [32]. They may still be recycled in specialized facilities, but it happens less frequently.

This traditional recycling method involves melting down plastics and then processing them into new plastic products.

Advanced recycling

While traditional recycling is primarily focused on making a new plastic product, advanced recycling is more suited to turning plastics into a completely different product. There are three different techniques when it comes to advanced recycling. The first is with pyrolysis, where plastic waste is recycled into crude oil. Chemical recycling has it in its name: using chemicals, plastic is broken down from a polymer into a monomer, and then used to create a new product. The third method is gasification, where plastic is converted into gas, which is used to generate energy.

THE NEW PRODUCTS

Every type of plastic can be recycled, so let's quickly look at what different types of plastics can be turned into. We say "could be," because sometimes they aren't recycled. Sometimes the process takes too long or costs too much compared to producing something from scratch [31]. In other cases, recycling plastic degrades its quality [33]. Either way, let's look at the possibilities.

PET plastic is typically recycled into fiber and tote bags, furniture and carpets, and food bottles and containers (if it's pure enough to do so and not contaminated with anything). HDPE is recycled into laundry detergent, shampoo, and oil bottles, but also pens, floor tiles, picnic tables, and more. Versatile, right?

Number three is PVC, which is often recycled into decking, panels, flooring, wires, and more, mostly things used in construction. LDPE is a softer, more flexible plastic, and as stated before, it isn't recycled as often. If it is, it's recycled into trash can liners, compost bins, shipping envelopes, panels, and floor tiles.

PP items are usually recyclable if they are clean. They are recycled into harder items such as signal lights, brooms and brushes, ice scrapers, bicycle racks and also into containers, pallets and trays. PS items, usually those made of foam, are not recycled because it is difficult to do so. If PS items are recycled, they are used for insulation, egg cartons, foam packaging and take-out containers.

The last group of plastics is not traditionally recycled, although if they are used, they are destined for plastic lumber or custom-made products.

SAVE THE TREES!

Yes, we are on a mission. We are doing everything we can to help save both flora and fauna and hopefully after this article, you will be more informed and willing to separate trash properly. Every little bit helps!

I'm sure you can guess where we're headed with this part: paper. Have you heard of the phrase "reduce, reuse, recycle"? Well, that's what's happening with paper. Newspapers have become news websites, your monthly bills can now be found online, and now you no longer have big sheets of paper to put on the floor so your birds keep pooping on the floor and you're constantly cleaning up after them and... Ah, sorry, that's just us.

Paper usage has been greatly reduced over the years, and people are encouraged (sometimes even forced) to receive anything via email instead of snail mail. If it really can't be avoided and you have to receive something that's made of paper, you are encouraged to reuse it (like a paper shopping bag). And if that really doesn't work, you are asked to separate that paper trash so it can be recycled into something new.

Paper has replaced the functionality of plastic in some industries. As mentioned above, plastic bags have become paper bags, and straws, cotton swabs, and disposable plates have also become mostly paper. In the EU, most single-use plastics have been or will be banned, and these items are being replaced by paper or bamboo alternatives [34].

There has been a lot of experimentation when it comes to reducing plastic and replacing it with paper, and it happened in the packaging industry as well. As you've probably already realized, plastic plays a big role in packaging. For food, such as meat, plastic is irreplaceable, as a paper box probably won't keep food fresh for long. But when it comes to ordering things online, for example a book, you want it to arrive in perfect condition without bent pages. This is where padding comes into play: your book needs to have padding to prevent it from bouncing around in the box so it can arrive in perfect condition, and usually your box will be filled with these little air pockets or with big sheets of packing paper angrily stuffed into a box by someone fed up with their job. That's usually what it looks like to us.

Of course, everyone wants to encourage less plastic waste, so the paper alternative gets a big thumbs up. But what if we told you that paper in the packaging industry could be doing more harm than good? As you can imagine, it takes a lot more paper to fill a box than if you were to use inflatable plastic. According to a 2014 American study [35], alternatives to plastics in packaging require 4.5 times more material by weight, which means it will cost more energy to ship, and which means it also increases greenhouse emissions, which, you know, contributes to global warming [36].

paper vs plastic

But if you receive boxes with paper stuffing, or order a pizza, or don't really read the newspapers that are still put in your mailbox, what should you do with them if you don't plan to reuse them anyway? Yes, they go in the trash. No, not regular trash, but paper trash. Yes, another bin.

DID YOU KNOW THAT... PIZZA BOXES DON'T FIT THERE?

Okay, we know we said “order a pizza” and all, but pizza boxes don’t actually go in the trash. That’s because the paper has been contaminated with oil. Any paper that’s dirty (whether it’s oil or any other substance that’s not just water) shouldn’t go in the recycling bin, as it will likely contaminate the rest of the paper at the recycling plant [37]. Harsh, right? We understand that you’re trying to do the right thing, but sadly, that paper pizza box has to go in the residual bin, unless you can salvage parts of it. If the top of the box is still clean, you can tear it off and put it in the paper bin, while the bottom goes in the residual trash.

Other paper products that typically can't be recycled include products that have a wax coating, plastic or foil, stained paper (like pizza boxes and also paper towels), or paper with paint on it from your child's craft session [38]. If you want to know exactly what you can and can't recycle, you should probably find a local guide to be sure!

SO... WHAT HAPPENS TO THE WASTE PAPER THAT I DO THROW AWAY?

Once paper waste is collected, it is taken to a recycling center. First, contaminants are removed to ensure that all that remains is paper. The paper is then sorted by grade and type using the STARSCREEN® machines that it passes through – these are machines with star-shaped discs that the paper travels on. Any flat, lightweight material is lifted and removed through the “top,” while heavier paper falls between the star screens and continues down the line below [39]. Next, the sorted paper is compressed into bales that are sent to a paper mill. Here, all of the paper is shredded into small pieces, put into water mixed with chemicals, and then heated. In this way, the paper is broken down into fibers, leaving a slurry or pulp [38, 40, 41]. Depending on what the pulp needs to be recycled into, different materials can be added to the mix to change the final pulp result. The pulp is then spread out on a wire mesh to dry and then passed through heated rollers so it can dry. After that, it is rolled and shipped - it can now be used to make new paper products!

That's the general process, obviously. Depending on what's added to the mix, recycled paper can be turned into cardboard, egg cartons, napkins and kitchen rolls, paper bags and plates, food cartons, printer and copier paper, and many more paper products (and even goods) you might think of [42]. What it gets recycled into generally depends on the quality of the paper: the more often the paper is recycled, the shorter the fibers are, and eventually the fibers are too short to be strong and high quality [43]. That's the difference between recycled copier paper and newspapers.