Thoughts on creating a responsible company

A Learning Curve and a Journey of Nuance

When I started ReCollector, there was a lot I didn’t know. Google quickly became my most important source of information. I began searching for packaging, printed materials, and components with an environmental focus—and gradually learned about the options available and the compromises that are often necessary.

Today, there is much better access to products and solutions that aim to consider environmental and resource concerns. Interest and demand are growing, and that’s encouraging.

For established companies, changing workflows and supply chains can be complex. Habits and long-term contracts often need to be reassessed. But starting a business from scratch doesn’t mean it’s without challenges—choosing the right materials and partners often comes with dilemmas, and new knowledge and technologies are constantly shifting the landscape.

Challenges Along the Way

As a founder, I’ve experienced first-hand how the process can be filled with obstacles. The development of our sorting box was delayed in part because it took time to find a type of recycled plastic that met our standards for functionality and durability.

I see working with environmental considerations as an ongoing process—not something you ever fully complete. It’s also a financial matter. For example, we’ve looked into biobased plastics, but both the cost and the performance have made it an unrealistic option for us at this time. Additionally, questions remain about how and where biobased materials are produced—such as whether they take up land that could otherwise be used for food production.

We make an effort to stay informed, consult experts, and continuously aim to make better, more qualified decisions.