Developed by GreenDot’s subsidiary Der Grüne Punkt in collaboration with Austrian company Digi-Cycle GmbH, which joined the GreenDot Group in April 2026, the solution enables consumers to access accurate, location-specific instructions for sorting and disposing of packaging waste through a single QR code on product packaging, helping address one of Europe’s circular economy’s key challenges.
The European roll-out is supported by the network of PRO-Europe (Producer Responsibility Organizations Europe), which consist of 31 member systems across Europe as well as Turkey and Israel, bringing together producer responsibility organizations across the continent to provide consistent digital guidance for consumers across multiple markets. The network creates a unique opportunity to scale digital consumer guidance.
One code for Europe, local sorting guidance
Waste-disposal systems vary significantly between European countries, regions, and even municipalities. This complexity often makes it difficult for consumers to know how to correctly dispose of packaging.
DigiDot contributes to addressing this challenge by linking a single QR code on packaging to dynamic digital information. When scanned, the code provides consumers with clear, location-specific sorting instructions for each packaging component and can also display the nearest appropriate collection point.
The service is also accessible via the digi-dot.info website and the Digi-Cycle app, enabling consumers to search for products and instantly receive tailored sorting guidance.
The platform already includes: more than 1,000 packaging types, around 50,000 branded products, a database of over 500,000 waste-collection container locations across Europe.
By providing EU-wide access to localized sorting guidance, DigiDot helps consumers separate packaging correctly wherever they are and supports higher recycling rates across borders.
Digital Labelling ready for future regulation
The DigiDot approach complements emerging European packaging-labelling requirements by providing digital access to disposal information for each packaging component. Under Article 12 of the PPWR, QR codes are presented as an optional tool to provide component-specific information on packaging materials and their recommended sorting destination, helping consumers identify how to dispose of each part of the packaging correctly.
This digital approach reduces printing effort, lowers packaging complexity, and leaves more space for brand communication while ensuring that consumers always receive up-to-date sorting information according to local requirements and languages. The system is designed to align with evolving digital product information standards and future regulatory developments.
Denis Völler, Managing Director of Der Grüne Punkt, emphasized the importance of the digital solution: “With DigiDot, we are making packaging sorting and disposal easier, clearer, and more accessible for millions of consumers across Europe. Combining harmonized labelling with dynamic digital guidance is key to improving recycling performance and supporting the circular economy”.
