Board of Directors

We are among the leading experts and thought leaders in our fields, nationally and internationally. We focus on the needs of our customers and work with them to develop tailor-made solutions.

Dr. Fritz Flanderka

“There is no alternative but to switch from a linear to a circular economy. It is the only way we can succeed in tackling important global issues such as CO2 reduction or fighting marine pollution in a meaningful and promising way.”

Dr. Fritz Flanderka has been Managing Director of the Reclay Group since 2005. In addition to managing various operational areas, he is jointly responsible for the strategic direction of the group.

Until 2005, The doctor of law and licensed attorney previously played a decisive role in the development of the EPRsystem in Germany and the European umbrella organization of EPR systems in his work as general representative of “Der Grüne Punkt-Duales System Deutschland AG” and as managing director of “Packaging Recovery Organization Europe sprl”. Since then, he has been closely involved in the further legal development of the regulatory environment and represents the Reclay Group in numerous committees.

Dr. Flanderka is a sought-after speaker and regular contributor to specialist articles. He is also the main author of Germany’s standard commentary on the Packaging Act.

Jens Niessmann

“The importance of the interactions between humans and the environment is becoming increasingly clear. We will only be able to successfully meet the growing challenges to a sustainable economy with competence, creativity and the courage to make changes. That’s what we stand for”

Jens Niessmann has helped shape the growth of the Reclay Group since 2005 in various national and international management positions. As managing director, he is responsible for the finances of the group, as well as for the areas of IT and mass flow. The industrial engineer stands for interdisciplinary thinking and solution-oriented approaches. Based on his many years of industry and consulting experience, he supports and advises international key accounts from trade and industry on their positioning on packaging compliance, recyclability and recycled content. In addition, Jens Niessmann is a publicly appointed and sworn expert for packaging disposal.

Reclay StewardEdge

Ken Friesen

“If we want to solve many of the environmental and sustainability challenges we face today, together we must embrace a truly circular economy. It is imperative for the long-term success of business sour environment and our long-term prosperity.”

Ken has been directly involved in waste reduction and recycling since 1990 and has led the initiation, design, and implementation of multi-stakeholder stewardship programs, as well as provided strategic governance and project management services to many organizations. He specializes in recycling and product stewardship strategy development, policy analysis and risk assessment, post-consumer recovery program development and implementation, cost-modeling and financial analysis, stakeholder engagement and producer responsibility compliance services.

Ken has provided leadership for a number of associations, such as Founding Director, Municipal Green Funds, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (2000-2002); Director, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (1999-2002), member of Environment Committee and International Programs Committee; Founding Chairman, Canadian Association of Tire Recycling Associations (1999-2001); Founding Board member, Manitoba Association of Regional Recyclers (1992-1998); President, Manitoba Association of Regional Recyclers (1993-1997).