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Are buckets and cups suitable for repeated use?

Our buckets and cups are generally designed as single-use packaging for their intended purpose and are not designed as reusable packaging for repeated use.

It is important to distinguish between the occasional reuse of a container and packaging that has specifically been designed as reusable packaging. Reusable packaging is designed and intended to complete multiple use cycles within an appropriate reuse system and must meet the applicable requirements for such use.

Our single-use packaging, on the other hand, is designed to protect the respective filling product during its intended use, storage and transport. Even if a bucket or cup still appears to be intact after its first use, this does not mean that it is suitable for repeated filling, cleaning or use cycles.

Repeated cleaning processes, dishwasher cycles, elevated temperatures and mechanical stresses in particular may affect the properties of the packaging. For example, dimensional stability, lid fit, leak-tightness and other functional properties may be affected.

A specified temperature resistance or suitability for freezing also does not automatically mean that a container is suitable for repeated use. Some of our buckets and cups, for example, are intended for freezing applications down to −18 °C. This specification describes suitability for the respective temperature conditions within the intended application – it does not classify the packaging as reusable packaging.

Important: Food contact compliance, temperature resistance, suitability for freezing and suitability for repeated use are different characteristics of a packaging product and must be assessed separately.

If your application involves repeated filling, cleaning and reuse, a packaging system should be used that has been specifically designed by the manufacturer for this purpose and for the intended number and type of use cycles.

Single-use, repeated use and reusable packaging – what is the difference?

Term / characteristic What does it mean? What does this mean for our buckets and cups?
Single-use packaging The packaging is designed for its intended purpose but not for multiple planned use cycles within a reuse system. Our buckets and cups are generally intended as single-use packaging unless explicitly stated otherwise for a particular product.
Repeated use A container that has already been used is used again for the same or another purpose after its original use. The fact that a container still appears to be intact does not automatically mean that it is suitable for further filling, cleaning or use cycles.
Reusable packaging Packaging that has been specifically designed and intended to complete multiple use cycles within a reuse system. Our standard buckets and cups are not designed as reusable packaging.
Food contact compliance Describes the suitability of a material for its intended contact with food under the applicable conditions. Food contact compliance does not automatically mean that a packaging product can be repeatedly used or repeatedly cleaned.
Temperature resistance Describes suitability for certain temperature conditions within the intended application. Permitted exposure to a particular temperature does not indicate how many use or cleaning cycles a container can withstand.
Suitability for freezing Selected packaging products are intended for use at low temperatures, for example down to −18 °C. Suitability for freezing does not mean suitability for repeated use. A container suitable for −18 °C may still be single-use packaging.
Cleaning / dishwasher Repeated cleaning cycles, heat, cleaning agents and mechanical stresses may affect the material and functionality. Our standard packaging is not designed for repeated dishwasher or cleaning cycles as part of a reuse system.

Important

Food contact compliance, temperature resistance, suitability for freezing and suitability for repeated use describe different characteristics of a packaging product. One of these characteristics therefore does not automatically imply another.

If repeated filling, cleaning and use are intended, a packaging system should be used that has been specifically designed by the manufacturer for this purpose and for the intended use cycles.