Pail to Pail – our circular process for recycled plastic pails

Our Pail to Pail solution gives used plastic pails a new life. The pails are made from 100% post‑consumer recycled material sourced from Swedish recycling centres. By reusing existing plastic rather than producing new material, we reduce environmental impact while maintaining reliable quality.

All steps of the recycling process—sorting, shredding, washing and re‑granulating—take place in the south of Sweden. This keeps transport distances short compared with many conventional recycling routes. The result is a significant climate benefit, with an 80% CO₂e reduction compared with pails made from virgin plastic.

How the P2P process works

Pail to Pail is our circular recycling loop for plastic pails. Each pail follows the same carefully planned journey:

1 Production at Emballator: We manufacture the pails and deliver them to the filler.

2 Filling and distribution: The pails are filled and sent to paint stores, where customers first encounter them.

3 Use by the consumer: After use, the empty pail is discarded and enters the recycling system.

4 Return to a recycling centre: The pails are collected as part of Sweden’s rigid plastics stream.

5 Sorting, washing and granulation: Van Werven collects the material and transports it to their facility in Sexdrega, southern Sweden. The pails are sorted, shredded and washed. The clean material is then sent to a nearby recycling company, where it is extruded into granules.

6 Back to Emballator: The recycled granules return to Emballator to become raw material for new pails—closing the loop.

Through Pail to Pail, we aim to reduce waste, improve material recovery and support a more circular approach to packaging. Every step is designed to minimise environmental impact while delivering dependable, high‑quality pails to our customers.