Our garbage bags
Together for a closed plastics cycle
We believe that the circular economy is the best approach to conserve resources together. But how exactly can we ensure this? It is simple: the circular economy minimizes resource consumption, waste generation, emissions and energy waste. It is about avoiding waste and using products for as long as possible – by repairing, upcycling and recycling them.
By using 100% recycled plastic* to produce our garbage bags, we can transform used plastic into new, high-quality products. This is a simple way to contribute to the circular economy.
*excluding drawstrings, colorants and additives
Recycled resources, uncompromising quality
Garbage bags made with 100% recycled plastic*
This year, we achieved our goal of a closed plastics cycle while maintaining our proven Swirl® quality standards: all our garbage bags are now made with 100% recycled plastic* – a significant milestone for Swirl® garbage bags.
Ideal: simply tie the drawstring to close and carry the bag!
**excluding drawstrings, colorants and additives
Our bags at a glance:
High-quality film
Proven tear-resistant & leak-proof
Made with 100% recycled plastic*
* excluding drawstrings, colorants and additives
We bring colour into the mix
Available in a variety of colors
Our Promise
In recent years, we have continuously worked to optimize the manufacturing process and improve our products over the long term in order to create a closed loop. We place particular emphasis on transparency and honesty. Our high-quality garbage bags are now made with 100% recycled plastic*. And that is something to be proud of!
* excluding drawstrings, colorants and additives
Why waste is a valuable resource
Plastic has become an indispensable part of our everyday lives. With its useful properties, plastic has become a revolutionary companion in every area of our lives. It ensures higher hygiene standards, simplifies transport and extends the shelf life of food. This valuable material becomes a problem when disposed of incorrectly. That is why we have started to rethink plastic responsibly: not as waste, but as a resource.
Recycling is an important component of an active circular economy and helps preserve the value of the material.
Together, we can make a difference
Recycling takes place everywhere – at home but also in industry.
By separating your waste correctly, you are already making an important contribution to a more sustainable future. Only correctly sorted waste provides a suitable basis for new products.
Fair recycled plastic does more than protect the environment
In line with our vision of sustainability, Swirl® is taking a major step forward by using fairly recycled plastic – a clear commitment to the long-term support of the environment, society and the economy.
Through the Fair Recycled Plastic initiative, the Melitta Group founded a new recycling company in the Indian metropolis of Bangalore. The aim is not only to prevent plastic from entering the environment, but also to support waste pickers and bring about social change.
Our commitment to the sustainable use of resources
Our initiative does not end with garbage bags. Since 2014, we have also been conserving resources in the production of Swirl® vacuum cleaner bags without compromising on product quality. Our MicroPor® vacuum cleaner bags are made of 45-65% recycled material* with 100% performance.
* depending on the bag type
Answers to your questions
Recycling is an indispensable part of sustainable plastics production and thus sets the tone for the change from a linear to a closed circular economy. That is why we see it as our task to continuously increase the recycled content of our products.
We get our raw material from various recycling suppliers from all over Europe – and from our partner company Vishuddh Recycle in Bangalore. We attach great importance to high quality standards and certified processes. You can find out more about Vishuddh Recycle in our article With Vishuddh Recycle from plastic waste to recycled garbage bags.
With the Fair Recycled Plastic initiative, the Melitta Group has founded the recycling company Vishuddh Recycle in Bangalore. In the recycling plant, plastic waste collected by waste pickers on the streets of the Indian metropolis is processed, which no longer ends up in the environment or the oceans. You can find out more about this in our article Fair Recycled Plastic: a sustainable social business.
The LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) extracted from the plastic waste in Bangalore is processed into granules at the Vishuddh Recycle recycling plant, which is exported to Europe and processed into Swirl® garbage bags.
The living conditions of around 2000 waste pickers and their families in Bangalore are improving thanks to the Fair Recycled Plastic Initiative: On the one hand, it creates jobs in Bangalore and expands structures in the waste sector. On the other hand, the waste pickers are paid fair wages – and the initiative supports non-profit organizations that provide, for example, medical care and educational opportunities. You can find out more about this in our article Fair Recycled Plastic: a sustainable social business.
The sorting behaviour of each individual is important for successful recycling and supporting the circular economy. After all, high recycling rates can only be achieved if as much waste as possible is collected and separated correctly. Proper waste separation means, for example, that plastic packaging must not be disposed of in the residual waste. As such, they would be incinerated – and can no longer be fed into the recycling cycle. The same applies vice versa – residual waste must not end up in the collection container for used packaging. This has a negative effect on plastic recycling and in some cases it is no longer possible. In addition, however, individual disposal systems and guidelines apply in each country and region. It is best to follow the local recommendations of your waste management company or district administration. You can learn more about this in our article The Circular Economy: Importance and Opportunities.
Recycled polyethylene (rPE) is less tear-resistant compared to virgin material. That's why we guarantee our high standards in terms of tear resistance and tightness with a higher film thickness. The quality promise of the recycled bags is therefore no different from that of conventional garbage bags.
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