Pöppelmann TEKU to make reusable packaging easy at Four Oaks

Erwin Plettig Plettig is the third-generation manager of the long-established horticultural and family-run business Blumen Plettig KG in Stallhofen.Austria. He says: “Environmental awareness and sustainability are simply part of our company’s philosophy. In addition to using HVO diesel and recyclable pots made from post-consumer recycled material, we have developed a reusable tray in collaboration with Pöppelmann TEKU  which has been very well received by customers. They are delighted, just as we are. Instead of five single- use trays, we now have a premium system and are saving enormous amounts of plastic waste.”

Plettig supplies 150 customers – horticultural businesses and smaller florists, as well as an Austrian garden centre chain.

Ever since the first delivery of TEKU reusable trays was unloaded at Plettig in March 2024, disposable trays have been a thing of the past here. “We said to ourselves back then: ‘Let’s just do it. Launching them during the peak season was a bold move, yet forward-thinking."

Customers asked: “And how much does that cost?” The answer was simple: “It costs nothing. We just want the trays back.”

And it’s working even better than expected: in 2025, Plettig delivered a total of over 80,000 trays, and apart from the approximately 5,000 still in circulation, all the trays have been returned. This already equates to a return rate of more than 93%.

Plettig emphasises that the company’s own logistics are, of course, a major advantage in implementing its own reusable system. Five company-owned lorries are on the road throughout Austria and Slovenia during the season. However, he is certain that the benefits of the reusable tray could also bring added value to other collection schemes across the industry. Customer feedback is certainly extremely positive: “They are delighted that they are producing less waste and thus making a valuable contribution to climate protection.”

Dirk Moormann is area sales manager at TEKU, responsible for customers in German-speaking countries. He said: "The Plettig company was determined to introduce a reusable system.” Plettig said: “The tray perfectly combines our practical experience and the expertise at Pöppelmann. And that’s why TEKU was the perfect partner for this project.”

At the time, the TEKU product development team did everything in its power to find the optimal solution for a tray that was both sturdy and lightweight. They quickly focused on the material-saving and more cost-effective thermoforming process. Today, the recyclable tray – made from post-consumer recycled material (PCR) and thus also contributing to the circular economy – weighs around 300 grams, making it approximately 260 grams lighter than comparable reusable injection-moulded trays on the market. “This difference also makes a significant difference to staff in their day-to-day work,” said Plettig, pointing out the anatomically shaped recessed grip, which also considerably improves carrying comfort. Furthermore, this reusable tray offers another significant advantage: “We used to use five different tray sizes. In our reusable system, there is now a single universal tray in circulation that can be used for various pot sizes. The tray is designed for 12 cm and 13 cm round pots as well as 11x11 cm square pots. Furthermore, thanks to the holes in the bottom, it is suitable for both transport and cultivation. The tray is simply perfect. Over the past two years, the trays have been through 15 cycles and show no signs of wear. I reckon that at least another 50 cycles are possible.”