Environmentally friendly, cost-saving and socially effective packaging:

Meaningful employment for people with severe disabilities

The Swabian lubricant manufacturer Wagner-Spezialschmierstoffe from Speckbrodi/Wechingen in Donau Ries has its packaging material produced in an ingeniously simple and environmentally friendly way by people with disabilities in the work and day structure (ATS) area of the Diakonie Neundettelsau in Polsingen. The special oils are not, as is so often the case, packaged with plastic chips or bubble wrap, but with balls of paper that people with severe disabilities crumple up from newspaper.

Everyone sits around a large table. Those who can, work; those who can't, read, look at the pictures in the newspaper or simply enjoy the busy activity around them. The people who work here have severe multiple disabilities. They are cared for at the Diakonie Neuendettelsau support center in Polsingen in central Franconia, giving them a meaningful daily structure.

Since 2013, the Wagner company from Speckbrodi/Wechingen has commissioned the ATS division to form paper balls from newspapers to cushion its special lubricants for vintage and classic cars during packaging. This innovative and simple idea has a positive impact in several ways:

Waste paper is reused in line with the circular economy and no new raw materials are consumed. Wood, oil and energy reserves are conserved and no environmental toxins are produced, as is possible with the manufacture of artificial packaging materials. It is also cost-effective and there are no further transfers.

At the same time, this idea has a social impact, as people with severe disabilities can crumple the paper, gain sensory impressions, train motor skills and coordination, create something alone and together, get involved and participate in a part of the production.

In December 2014, Walter Wagner handed over a gift basket for the reliable services of the support center and senior employment in Polsingen, expressly expressing the wish: "This idea should be carried further so that even more companies take advantage of the simple opportunity to package their products in an environmentally friendly way. And even more workshops/support areas for people with disabilities can implement this meaningful work."

In this way, even people with very high support needs have the opportunity to work and earn something. Group N3 at the support center, for example, uses their wages to attend cultural events, which would otherwise not be possible in this form. Last year, they went to a musical in Gunzenhausen, and the joy of it still sparkles in their eyes today. So much can be created from old newspapers.

A simple idea with a grandiose effect.

Report:
WfbM-Polsingen
Diakonie Neundettelsau
Werkstatt Polsingen
Wilhelm-Löhe-Ring 7
91805 Polsingen