Plastic producers discover their love for tethered caps

"Tethered caps are a good and catchy example of circular design. They are an excellent example of how packaging and products can be improved in the future. Companies should internalize this principle of circular design and think about it from the outset when designing their products," says Alexander Kronimus, Managing Director of the industry association.

Although the association assumes that the direct benefit of the new caps for the environment in Germany is rather low, it still sees tethered caps as a step in the right direction. "In contrast to many other countries, Germany has a functioning deposit system. Around 97% of PET bottles are recycled, 95% of which already come back with a cap," says Alexander Kronimus. "But now no more lids go to waste, and awareness of the need to handle packaging carefully and responsibly is increasing."

Alexander Kronimus recommends taking a relaxed approach to critical comments on the Internet that make fun of tethered caps and try to polarize the issue: "Market research suggests that there is acceptance for the new lids. Above all, consumers like the fact that you can no longer lose the lid and that the caps are easier to open. Circular product design will ultimately prevail because it makes products better in the long term."