Hockenheim, Germany – Sonoco Europe is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded three Bronze trophies at the Environmental Packaging Awards 2025, hosted by Packaging News, earlier this week. Sonoco Rigid Paper Packaging won Bronze in the Sustainable Packaging Business of Year category, as well as in the Sustainable Brand of the Year category, which was a joint entry with Marigold Health Foods. Sonoco Metal Packaging EMEA won Bronze in the Sustainable Investment Project of the Year.

The annual event, which took place at the KIA Oval Cricket Ground in London, celebrates the very best in sustainable packaging solutions.

Sonoco Rigid Paper Packaging

The two award wins for Sonoco Rigid Paper Packaging highlight the impact that Sonoco’s Rigid Paper Can with a paper end has had on the packaging sector, with a number of major brands converting to the recyclable solution over the last few years.

By adopting Sonoco’s Paper Can, brands have been able to demonstrate their commitment to circularity and increasing the recyclability content of their packaging. Sonoco’s Paper Can with the paper end is 90-95% paper-based and is fully recyclable in the UK and mainland Europe, contributing to a reduction in packaging waste.

Sonoco partnered with Marigold Health Foods for its range of nutritional yeast products. Previously, Marigold’s packaging included a cardboard body with a steel base, however, this posed challenges for recycling. Recognising the need for a more circular solution, Marigold worked with Sonoco to develop a 95% paperboard alternative, featuring the Sonoco Paper Can with a paper bottom. Switching to the new packaging, significantly improved the pack’s recyclability, making it widely accepted in the UK and Europe’s recycling streams.

Sean Cairns, President – Global Rigid Paper and Closures (RPC) at Sonoco, comments: “We’re absolutely delighted to have won not one, but two, prestigious awards. Sustainable Packaging Business of the Year truly demonstrates the work we’ve input into developing more eco-friendly packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the heart of everything Sonoco does, and our packaging solutions are designed to help customers meet their targets while maintaining the highest standards of product protection and freshness. We work closely with our customers to convert to greener, recyclable packaging solutions, thereby boosting their sustainability credentials!“

“Collaborating with Marigold on the packaging for its Super Engevita Nutritional Yeast Flakes wasn’t just about upgrading the packaging, it was about staying true to our mission – and that of Marigold – of delivering food in the most sustainable way possible.”

Sonoco Metal Packaging EMEA

Sonoco Metal Packaging EMEA was awarded Bronze in the Sustainable Investment Project of the Year category for its FareShare Surplus Food Can Collaboration.

Sonoco Metal Packaging EMEA (formerly Eviosys) partnered with FareShare to increase the output of its Food Life Extension (FLEX) project, which aims to extend the shelf-life of fresh produce. Sonoco Metal Packaging played a pivotal role in the project by supplying its metal cans. This enabled an increase in production helping FareShare distribute over 600,000 cans of soup made from surplus food, saving approximately 29 tonnes of fresh food from going to waste.

With Sonoco’s collaboration, FareShare has been able to expand its canned soup production, reduce waste and deliver even more meals to people in need through the FLEX project.

Aidan Ruddock, Commercial Director North Europe, Sonoco Metal Packaging EMEA comments: “We are thrilled to have won this award and for such a worthy cause. The FLEX project aims to end food waste and hunger, and we are proud of our contribution to help make this happen. This award demonstrates the strength of metal packaging as a sustainable packaging alternative as well as providing fresh and nutritious food for all.”