WAGO GmbH & Co. KG – Gradually replace plastic

As part of its sustainability strategy, the Minden-based group of companies has set itself the goal reducing the proportion of new plastic in its products . In September 2023, WAGO brought the first connecting clamp onto the market that contains plastic components made from recycled plastics and bio-based residues . According to the company, the series 221 connecting terminal is one of WAGO's best-known products; many companies around the world use it in electrical installations. Since September, they have been able to choose between the conventional product – recognizable by its orange levers – and the more ecological version with green levers. Residual materials from industry and households are used here. They are certified of origin and come from a circular process. Recycled plastics are also added, so-called post-consumer recyclate . As a result, the connecting clamp saves fossil resources and keeps plastics in the cycle. “The levers consist of at least 27 percent reused PET bottles ,” explains Astrid Burschel, Vice President Corporate Sustainability of the WAGO Group, “the basis of the housing is made up of up to 77 percent bio-based residues such as tall oil, used grease and residues from the production of Cooking oils.” Thanks to appropriate processes, these can now be processed into high-quality polycarbonate . also focusing on more sustainability packaging It consists of grass paper with a grass fiber content of up to 30 percent and a recycled paper content of around 70 percent .