Tetra pak and Keter, a leader in sustainable furniture and lifestyle solutions for the home and garden, have joined forces to launch an innovative line of designer pots made from up to 98% polyethylene and aluminum pellets, a recycled material derived from used beverage cartons, and is now available in Leroy Merlín stores in Spain and Portugal and Bauhaus.
The launch of the model Wood Planter is the first in this range of pots, which is part of the “Plant the Future” initiative, a joint project that promotes the circular economy by transforming waste into valuable raw materials to manufacture useful and long-lasting products. This collaboration is a tangible example of the positive impact that recycling can have on the reduction of plastic waste and its revalorization as high-quality, valuable raw materials for new uses. In addition, this launch is only the starting point, as new models of pots will soon be incorporated that increase the percentage of polyal granules in their composition to 100%, thus reinforcing the commitment to sustainability and innovation.
The employment of polyal granules from recycled packaging The process of making these pots reduces waste and decreases the need to extract finite natural resources. This process also reduces the carbon emissions associated with the manufacture of new materials, which has positive effects on the environment.
The challenge taken on in the recycling and manufacturing process of these flower pots has earned the recognition of prestigious entities. Among them, Solar Impulse, a renowned non-profit organization, which has distinguished this project by including it in its exclusive “Featured Solution” category, highlighting it as an innovative initiative that contributes significantly to environmental protection, the reduction of emissions and the optimization of the use of natural resources. Likewise, the Aragonese Development Institute has endorsed this commitment by awarding the 2024 RSA Sustainability Award, thus underlining the relevance and positive impact of the project, which has been developed at the Keter factory in Zaragoza.
“Our commitment to the low-carbon circular economy drives us to embark on projects like this, which allow us to keep the recycled materials from our packaging in circulation and give them a second life. When companies from different areas work together, they take advantage of each other's strengths and generate innovative solutions, from the design of products made from recycled materials to the creation of new applications,” he explains. Virginia Rodríguez, Head of Sustainability at Tetra Pak Iberia.
In addition to the environmental benefits, this project boosts the recycling industry and stimulates the market for recycled materials, generating local employment and encouraging the creation of a more solid infrastructure for waste management.
Maria Jesus Esteve, Managing Director of Keter Southern Europe, underlines the role of the consumer in the success of these initiatives, “At Keter, we work to create products with sustainable materials at competitive prices, which are not only functional and attractive, but also inspire positive change. By choosing these pots, consumers not only take home an innovative product, but they also become active agents in protecting the environment and supporting the circular economy.”
Wood Planter Model: Innovation and Sustainable Design
The Wood Planter model of flowerpot is available in Leroy Merlin stores in Spain and Portugal and Bauhaus in two sizes (29,5 x 29,5 x 29,7 cm and 39,5 x 39,5 x 39,5 cm) and in two colour options: green and black or deep black. Its texture, inspired by wood, gives it an elegant and versatile aesthetic, ideal for any space, whether indoor or outdoor.
Each large pot reuses the amount of polyal corresponding to 166 containers, and the smaller ones the amount corresponding to 75 containers. from recycled beverage cartons, demonstrating the positive impact that a responsible consumption choice can have.