Recycled post-consumer plastics

At the heart of our simplehuman company is a commitment to produce powerful and environmentally friendly products. We have been using less to achieve more for years.

Since 2015, we have been using recycled plastics to make our waste bins. Last year we saved 885 tonnes of new plastics by using post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics in our products. This year, we plan to replace an additional 1,250 tons of new plastics with PCR plastics, starting with our four best-selling litter bins.

We use PCR plastics because they reduce the ecological footprint of our products without reducing quality. By not using new plastics, we contribute to a world where recycled plastics are valued and we support recycling at home and abroad.

Recycled polypropylene

The main raw material for our recycled polypropylene is petroleum. It is processed by heat, pressure and chemicals to produce polypropylene.

The polypropylene in our waste baskets comes from the inner tank of a washing machine from Japan. When the washing machine stops working, it is recycled and the polypropylene is used to make simplehuman products.

Japan has nationwide appliance take-back programs that ensure high-quality recycling materials. In Japan, 82% of washing machines and dryers are recycled.

Recycled polypropylene is processed and tested to ensure it has the same properties as new polypropylene. We only buy verified PCR plastic from our supplier in Japan, whose ecological footprint is verified by TÜV Rheinland.

The recycled polypropylene is then sent to our plant and used to make our waste bins.

Advantages of PCR

All PCR products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet our guarantees and technical standards. Our PCR waste bins are the same as the new plastic bins - just as tough and durable.

By replacing new plastics with PCR plastics, we offer more ecological options for the household without reducing performance. Our trash cans prove that you can have both - performance and environmental friendliness.