What should you do after using the product?

HANDLING POL-MAK PRODUCTS AFTER USE

At POL-MAK we design our products with responsible use of resources in mind. We use tissue paper and materials from certified, controlled sources. However, the final environmental impact depends on how the product is handled after use. Proper waste separation keeps materials in circulation and reduces the amount of waste.

BEFORE YOU THROW IT AWAY – REUSE IT

Many of our products, especially decorative napkins, paper tablecloths and cartons, can be reused as:

• protective pads,
• decorative elements,
• materials for creative and art projects,
• protection during small household works.

If the product is no longer suitable for reuse, below you will find clear instructions on how to dispose of it correctly.

HOW TO HANDLE POL-MAK PRODUCTS AFTER USE

DECORATIVE NAPKINS

Napkins are made of tissue paper and printed with water-based inks.

• Clean napkins → blue bin (paper)
• Napkins contaminated with food, grease or liquids → mixed waste
• OK Compost HOME napkins (clean) → home compost
• OK Compost HOME napkins contaminated with food / grease → mixed waste

Paper contaminated with grease is not recyclable.

PAPER PLATES / TRAYS

• Clean white plates or trays → blue bin (paper)
• Printed / dirty / greasy → mixed waste

Coloured printing and contamination exclude recycling.

PAPER CUPS

Paper cups have a protective coating that prevents recycling in most systems.

• Cups after drinks or wet → mixed waste
• If your municipality has a dedicated cup collection system → follow local instructions

PAPER TABLE COVERS
(made from recycled paper)

• Clean table covers → blue bin (paper)
• Contaminated with grease or food → mixed waste

PAPER BAGS

• Clean bags without finishes → blue bin (paper)
• Bags with decorations (ribbons, 3D elements):
  •  Remove decoration → bag to paper, decoration to mixed waste or plastic
• Laminated or hot-stamped bags → mixed waste
• Plastic ribbons → yellow bin (plastics / metals)
• Cotton ribbons → mixed waste
• Glitter → always mixed waste
  (glitter is microplastic and cannot be recycled)

GIFT WRAPPING PAPERS

• Clean, uncoated paper / kraft → blue bin (paper)
• Paper with foil, UV varnish, metallised → mixed waste

CELLOPHANE WRAPPING FILM

Film is a mono-material (PP 5).

• Clean, dry film → yellow bin (plastics / metals)
• Film with glue, glitter, food or decorations → mixed waste

GREETING CARDS AND INVITATIONS

• 100% paper cards → blue bin (paper)
• Cards with removable decorations → remove decoration, card to paper
• Laminated / glitter cards where decoration cannot be separated → mixed waste

ENVELOPES (INCLUDING WITH GRASS FIBRES)

• Clean paper envelopes → blue bin (paper)

PAPER FOLDERS WITH ELASTIC BAND

• Folders without foil (after removing elastic band) → blue bin (paper)
• Laminated folders → mixed waste
• Elastic bands → yellow bin

TISSUE PAPER

• Clean tissue paper → blue bin (paper)
• Tissue contaminated with food / grease / liquids → mixed waste
• Tissue off-cuts from art projects (without tape) → blue bin (paper)

Z-FOLD PAPER TOWELS

• Clean towels → blue bin (paper)
• Towels after contact with water, cosmetics, liquids → mixed waste
• Towels after contact with grease / food → mixed waste
• Paper packaging → blue bin (paper)
• The packaging of Z-fold paper towels is made from recycled paper and is fully recyclable.

WHAT ABOUT PRODUCT PACKAGING?

INDIVIDUAL FILMS AND SHRINK WRAP (PP 5)

• Clean film → yellow bin
• Film contaminated with grease / food residues → mixed waste

Mono-material PP has high recycling potential, provided proper separation.

COLLECTIVE CARTON PACKAGING

• Clean cardboard → blue bin (paper)
• Films, tapes, fillers → yellow bin
• Labels (usually adhesive-coated) → mixed waste

Cardboard is worth reusing. It is one of the best-recycled materials in the EU.

REUSE OF CARTONS (FOR B2B CUSTOMERS)

Collective carton packaging can be reused as:

• storage containers for order picking,
• storage containers for order picking,
• transport packaging in catering and HoReCa,
• back-office organisers,
• surface protection during technical works.

Benefits: lower material costs, less waste, extended life cycle of raw materials.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

Paper is one of the easiest materials to recycle in Europe.
Proper waste separation closes the fibre loop, reduces waste and genuinely lowers environmental impact.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

These rules apply to the use of POL-MAK products in Poland.

Remember: always follow the waste separation rules applicable in your municipality.
Local systems may differ.

Questions?
csr(at)pol-mak.com.pl