FAQ — Frequently asked questions about packaging

For online orders there is no minimum order value. For custom-made items (e.g. printed carrier bags or customer-specific formats), product-dependent minimum quantities apply — these are communicated individually on request. For regular stock items: order from 1 box.

As long as the order has not yet been dispatched, you can contact us by phone on (+49) 7731 / 924430 or by email at info@elke-plastic.com. Dispatched orders can no longer be cancelled — the right of withdrawal applies here: Withdraw from the purchase contract here.

For standard parcels within Germany we charge €7.50 net per parcel. From an order value of €200 net we deliver free of shipping costs within Germany. Bulky goods and pallet goods are calculated individually — the shipping costs appear in the checkout before completion. Tiered rates apply to EU countries.

Orders received by 2:00 pm are usually dispatched on the same working day. The DPD standard delivery time within Germany is 1–5 working days, EU-wide 1–7 working days (for details see the shipping page). For custom manufacturing, longer production-related delivery times of 4–6 weeks apply.

Yes, we deliver to many EU countries. Swiss customers order via our Swiss shop elke-plastic.ch, Austrian customers via elke-plastic.at. We do not currently deliver to Great Britain.

DPD attempts up to three deliveries. If no one is on site, the parcel is left at a DPD PickUp shop near you. You receive status updates by email and can set a preferred address or preferred day with DPD.

Yes, collection in person at the warehouse is possible by prior telephone appointment on (+49) 7731 / 924430. Mon-Fri 8:00-12:00 + 13:00-17:00.

Whether for business needs or private purchases: at Elke Plastic all customers order on fair terms. Many packaging products are available directly from stock, come in various sizes and designs and can be conveniently ordered online — with flexible payment methods such as PayPal, Klarna, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, prepayment or invoice. Find all payment methods here.

Yes — purchase on account is available. The standard payment term is 30 days net.

For B2B customers we display net prices plus statutory VAT by default. B2C customers see gross prices including VAT. You can switch between the B2B and B2C view at any time. (At the top of the header or above the order table)

Our standard range comprises LDPE (low-density polyethylene, soft, transparent), HDPE (high-density polyethylene, milky, stable), PP (polypropylene, crystal-clear, high-strength), OPP (oriented PP), PE/PA composite (vacuum/high barrier) as well as paper and compostable bio films (PLA, cellulose). You can find a complete material overview in our Glossary.

Yes — the large majority of our range is food-safe in accordance with EU Regulation 10/2011 (plastics in food contact) as well as EU 1935/2004 (materials in general). The Declaration of Compliance (DoC) is available per item and can be sent on request. On the product data sheet, look for the glass-and-fork symbol or the note "food-safe".

"my" (also microns, micrometres) is the unit of measurement for film thickness: 1 micron = 1/1000 mm. A 50-micron film is therefore 0.05 mm thick. Rule of thumb: the higher the micron figure, the more tear-resistant and heavier the film. Standard carrier bags are 50–80 microns, bin bags 40–60 microns, heavy industrial films 100–200 microns.

Yes — our LDPE freezer bags and PE/PA vacuum bags in particular are cold-resistant down to −40 °C and remain flexible even when frozen. For freezer applications we recommend film thicknesses from 50 microns. PP becomes brittle at sub-zero temperatures and is therefore not suitable.

Yes. All plastic packaging from our range is BPA-free and contains no phthalate plasticisers. We source exclusively from European manufacturers with proven REACH and food compliance.

Yes — we realise your individual packaging solution. Even from smaller quantities — contact us, we calculate individually. Enquiry form: Request custom manufacturing here.

For unprinted special formats (special size, special thickness, special colour) we calculate individually — smaller quantities are also feasible. We are happy to prepare an individual quote for you — request a sample.

Yes — Elke Plastic GmbH is registered with the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) in the LUCID packaging register. Our registration number can be provided on request. As an importer and party placing products on the market in Germany, we fulfil all obligations of the Packaging Act (participation in a dual system).

That depends on who first places the packaging on the market in Germany. If you purchase our bags and fill them with your own products, you are subject to registration as the party placing them on the market. We are happy to advise — contact us.

The EU Packaging Regulation PPWR (EU) 2025/40 came into force on 11 February 2025 and applies EU-wide from 12 August 2026. It replaces the old Directive 94/62/EC and prescribes binding recyclate quotas, minimum standards for recyclability, reduction of over-packaging and a ban on certain single-use packaging. More in the glossary: PPWR.

Our bio films made from PLA (polylactic acid) and cellulose films are industrially compostable in accordance with DIN EN 13432. In addition, we offer bags made from PE with a plant-based content (bio-PE from sugar cane) — chemically identical to fossil PE, but considerably better in terms of CO₂ footprint. Please note: home compostability is certified for only a few products (separate labelling).

Standard rLDPE bags contain 30–80% post-consumer recyclate (PCR) depending on the line. For food-contact products the recyclate content is currently 0% (legally restricted until EFSA approval). We indicate the PCR content in the product data sheet — material certificates (e.g. EuCertPlast) are available on request.

Dry, protected from direct sunlight and at 10–25 °C. UV radiation makes plastics brittle, heat accelerates the ageing of plasticisers (in adhesives). Storage in the original outer packaging prevents contamination and dust ingress. Recommended maximum stacking height: 2 pallets.

Unprinted LDPE/HDPE bags: at least 2 years with correct storage. PP and PE/PA composite: 3 years. Compostable bio films (PLA, cellulose) age faster: 6–12 months, as they begin to degrade under the influence of moisture and heat. Self-adhesive closures (adhesion): max. 18 months.

Yes — via our sample request form you receive free product samples from the standard range. For custom-made items, proof samples are sent after approval of the print data.

Yes. Our sales team advises you Mon–Fri 8:00–12:00 + 13:00–17:00 on (+49) 7731 / 924430 or by email at info@elke-plastic.com. For complex enquiries (custom manufacturing, large volumes, industry-specific solutions) we are happy to arrange an on-site appointment or video call.

Elke Plastic GmbH is a third-generation family business, founded in 1972 in Rielasingen-Worblingen. Since then we have supplied industry, retail and trade across Germany and the EU with packaging solutions. Today family-run.