The number of stars packaging is awarded in the M-Check environmentally friendly packaging rating system is assessed on the basis of packaging intensity (materials and weight) and the packaging cycle (proportion of recycled materials used and recyclability after use).
• The packaging intensity is determined from the factors of "Materials" and "Weight". What is particularly important when it comes to the weight of the packaging is how heavy the packaging is in relation to the packaged product. Pouch packaging is normally the best option here: A paper bag for potatoes weighs just 26.5 g for the 2,500 g of potatoes it would hold – the packaging intensity is thus very low (ratio ~ 1:100). The worst option in terms of packaging intensity is heavy packaging, such as non-returnable glass. A glass jar of gherkins normally weighs a great deal more than 100 g and holds a maximum of 500 g of gherkins (ratio ~ 1:5).
• The packaging cycle is determined by the factors "Proportion of recycled materials used" and "Recyclability after use". Some of the packaging used by Migros is really high performing in this respect. For example, the PET drinks bottles from Aproz are made from 100% recycled materials – and can be recycled again to a high level after use. The recycling rate for PET bottles in Switzerland is very high, standing at 81%.