recyclability - Sonoco Europe

Vetain Champions Sustainable Packaging with Sonoco’s Eco-Friendly, paper-based GreenCan® solution

Vetain Champions Sustainable Packaging with Sonoco’s Eco-Friendly, paper-based GreenCan® solution

Hockenheim, Germany – Vetain GmbH, a rapidly growing start-up company that manufactures vegan protein powder and supplements, has switched its packaging to Sonoco’s GreenCan® with a paper-end. Made with at least 96% paper content, the solution serves as a more recyclable and circular packaging alternative to the rigid paper can with metal-end that Vetain previously used for its protein powders.

Vetain was founded in 2021 by young entrepreneur athletes Luca Gruber and Philipp Riedl, who were on the lookout for a vegan and tasty alternative to protein powder. They developed the company’s products to align with its three core values: quality, transparency and sustainability.

Based in Germany, the vegan health foods firm’s product offering includes protein powder, protein bars, nut butters, toppings and supplements. With more than 200,000 customers across Europe, and a team of 23 employees, Vetain is already achieving an annual turnover of €20m.

With sustainability a core value of Vetain, Luca and Philipp knew right from the start that they wanted to take responsibility for the environment and planet and not create extra waste. Wanting to ensure that the packaging for their products was as environmentally friendly as possible, they looked for a manufacturer with similar values to their own.

Vetain and Sonoco began collaborating in 2023 when Vetain wanted to move its packaging to a full paper solution. Two years later, seeking an even more sustainable paper-based option, Vetain switched to GreenCan® with a paper-end.

The Sonoco GreenCan® with a paper-end is fully recyclable within the paper stream and meets Europe’s recycling requirements. Vetain’s protein powder and other powder-based products, packaged in Sonoco’s GreenCan® with paper-end, is now available in the German market.

Philipp Riedl, co-founder and CEO of Vetain, comments: “As former athletes, it was clear to us when launching Vetain, that we wanted to offer a high-quality and great tasting alternative to the additive-packed products already on the market. The supplement market is very competitive, therefore, having a brand with sustainability at its core – from product to packaging – is a big USP for us. Our packaging needed to demonstrate this. Being able to use fully recyclable packaging for our protein powders and other powder-based products supports our brand perception, and many of our customers have praised our new paper-based packaging.”

For Sonoco, this partnership demonstrates its commitment to working with brands looking for highly sustainable and recyclable packaging.

Oliver Kock, Senior Sales Manager for Sonoco Consumer Europe, comments: “Initially, Vetain started out using GreenCan® with a metal end. However, after the Vetain team expressed its clear commitment to sustainability and keeping its ecological footprint as small as possible, the company started using GreenCan® with a paper-end, ensuring its customers can recycle the entire can.”

He continues: “Vetain is a great example of young entrepreneurs looking to make a meaningful difference with its brand and packaging.”

For Vetain being sustainable and environmentally friendly doesn’t stop at its packaging. The company also has several other plant-friendly initiatives. For example, for every product purchased, Vetain plants two mangrove trees with its partner EdenProjects. By doing this, Vetain can offset some of the emissions produced by its orders. In addition to Vetain cutting out plastic and aluminium from its products, to ensure even less waste ends up in the oceans, it also donates 10 cents per order to partner Cleanhub – an NGO that collects plastic from rivers and the sea.

Read the success story here.

“Being able to use fully recyclable packaging for our protein powders and other powder-based products supports our brand perception, and many of our customers have praised our new paper-based packaging.”

Philipp Riedl, co-founder and CEO of Vetain

About Vetain

Founded in 2019, Vetain GmbH is a Munich-based e-commerce startup dedicated to creating healthy and sustainable sports nutrition products. The company specializes in customizable, plant-based protein powders and is committed to expanding its offerings with innovative, high-quality food and nutritional supplements. Vetain emphasizes transparency, sustainability, and high-quality ingredients in their products, which are developed and manufactured in-house. Guided by its mission to cultivate tomorrow’s nutrition, Vetain is helping to shape the future of sustainable agriculture. For more information, visit www.vetain.de.

Ghulam MOEEN UD DIN

August 19, 2025

European Investments in sustainability, GreenCan®, News, Product, Sonoco Paper Container

Company News, new product launch, Protein Powders, recyclability, Sonoco Paper Container, Sustainability, Vegan Protein, Vetain
Kotányi launches new Spices range for Austria and Germany region in Sonoco’s GREENCAN® Packaging

This fourth-generation Austrian family business partnered with Sonoco to launch its latest spice range in the fully recyclable GreenCan® solution.

Hockenheim, Germany – Sonoco is pleased to partner with Kotányi GmbH – an Austrian family-owned company with over 140 years of experience in the world of spices. Together, they are setting new standards in quality and sustainability by combining innovative packaging solutions with high-quality herbs and spice blends. The new spice range is being launched in Sonoco’s GreenCan® packaging, highlighting the brand’s commitment to sustainability.

The latest launch from Kotányi reflects the evolving preferences of today’s consumer and includes a selection of meticulously crafted mixes such as: Cool Chick, Little Italy, Potato Party, Wonder Wok, Curry Crush, Avocado Love and more. The contemporary flavours cater to growing fusion trends and aim to engage younger target audiences, further achieved by the fun and modern label designs. These mixtures are perfect for a variety of vegan and non-vegan recipes, and Sonoco’s GreenCan® solution plays a crucial role in this commitment, offering a robust, practical, and widely recyclable packaging alternative, with an integrated paper lid.

This launch in Sonoco GreenCan® solution aligns with the objectives of the EU Green Deal, namely embracing a life-cycle approach to circularity. This sustainable launch has received positive feedback from retailers across Europe, who recognise the innovation in both the product and its packaging. Sonoco’s GreenCan® ensures that the packaging is not only functional, but also environmentally responsible, with the can body and lid made from 94% paper, including 69% recycled paper. The remaining 6% consists of the barrier protection.

Alexandra Mayr, Marketing Manager at Kotányi, stated: “Sustainability is a core principle embedded in all our processes at Kotányi. For this latest product launch, Sonoco’s GreenCan® was the clear choice for our packaging – aligning perfectly with our environmental values. The innovative flavours in this new range were specifically developed for a younger audience in mind. Combined with GreenCan’s high paper content, they underscore our brand’s mission: our innovation shapes your enjoyment.

We’ve already received highly positive feedback from retailers, who have praised both the sustainable concept and the appealing design of the product and its packaging. We look forward to the market’s broader response and are committed to continuing our successful collaboration with Sonoco.”

Axel Tesson, Sales Manager for Sonoco Consumer Europe, added: “Our partnership with Kotányi signals our commitment to providing the ideal sustainable solutions that reinforce brands’ visions. Our GreenCan® solution reflects Kotányi’s environmental responsibility without compromising high-quality packaging for the customer. We are delighted to be part of this sustainable journey with Kotányi and look forward to what the future brings.”

Kotányi’s new spice range launched in Austria in May 2025 and will be available in Germany from July 2025 onwards.

For more information, visit: www.kotanyi.com/at/

To read the Kotányi and Sonoco Success Story, click here

About GREENCAN®

The Sonoco GREENCAN® recyclable paperboard package is made of 92-98% paperboard and features a wide range of barrier properties. Available in multiple shapes and sizes – from round, square or rectangular; to oval, oblong or triangular – it is ‘designed to recycle’ paper can, providing a highly recyclable packaging solution, with robust barrier properties.

Sonoco’s GREENCAN® also features an integrated paper lid, so when empty, the whole package can go through the household paper recycling stream without any need to disassemble it. This makes it simple and convenient for the consumer and for the whole recycling process.

About Kotányi

Founded in 1881 Hungary; now headquartered in Wolkersdorf, Austria, Kotányi is a fourth-generation family business and global leader in premium herbs and spices. With over 4,500 seasoning products, we add exceptional flavors to your food. Our team of 600 employees works passionately to create high-quality spices. Rooted in Austrian tradition, Kotányi sets food trends, inspires cooks, and shapes the culinary zeitgeist. As a leading international brand, we are committed to innovation and quality. We handle our spices with care, ensuring outstanding quality in every product. For more information, visit our website at www.kotanyi.com/at/

For more information contact: [email protected]
Tel +44 (0)7747 235 616 or [email protected]
www.sonocoeurope.com

“We’ve already received highly positive feedback from retailers, who have praised both the sustainable concept and the appealing design of the product and its packaging. We look forward to the market’s broader response and are committed to continuing our successful collaboration with Sonoco”

Alexandra Mayr, Marketing Manager at Kotányi

Lasa Mohamad

July 7, 2025

GreenCan®, News, Product, Product Development Innovation

Company News, Consumer Packaging, Customer Solutions, Customerpartnership, GreenCan®, Kotányi, News, recyclability, Sonoco, SpicesPaperPackaging, Sustainability
Grands Moulins de Paris Celebrate 60 Years of the Iconic Francine Brand with Limited-Edition Sonoco GreenCan® Packaging

Marking six decades of Francine flour, this collaboration between Sonoco and Grands Moulins de Paris highlights sustainable innovation with the GreenCan® packaging.

Habsheim, France – Sonoco, a global leader in value-added sustainable metal and fibre packaging, and Grands Moulins de Paris (GMP), a century-old miller and the market leader in terms of value in the supermarket flour sector with its Francine brand, are proud to celebrate the 60th anniversary of this symbolic brand. As part of this milestone, GMP is launching a limited-edition design of Francine’s flagship Suprême flour in Sonoco’s GreenCan® packaging, paying tribute to the brand’s heritage while reinforcing their shared commitment to sustainability.

Founded in 1929, Grand Moulins de Paris is proud to belong to the 10,000 farmers in north-eastern France who own the VIVESCIA cooperative group. GMP selects the best 100% French breadmaking wheat from its eight mills to produce quality flours and milling mixes for small-scale bakeries, the food industry, and supermarkets in France and abroad. GMP promotes French milling and baking expertise, notably through the iconic Francine brand. Its passion for taste and innovation is also passed on through the Paris Bakery and Patisserie School, which trains almost 450 students (young people and adults) every year.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the iconic Francine brand, Grands Moulins de Paris has launched an extensive 360° communication plan which began in February, including in-store activations, internally with all employees and staff and digital initiatives on social media channels, of the brand and of Grands Moulins de Paris. Additionally, the brand’s three flagship references including the Suprême flour packaged in Sonoco GreenCan® paper container, are available in limited editions, paying homage to the original graphic codes of the Francine brand. Sonoco is supporting the rollout of this limited edition.

In the 1980s, Francine was the first brand to launch a range of flours in rigid containers, with the iconic Farine Suprême, bringing greater convenience to the kitchen. More than four decades later, still true to its leadership role, the brand was already exploring solutions to limit its environmental impact. From this perspective, GMP chose Sonoco’s GreenCan® solution, which made it possible to limit the environmental impact by promoting circular and responsible use of packaging materials, in line with GMP’s sustainable development commitments. With the Sonoco GreenCan® container, GMP combines robustness, practicality, recyclability, and re-use. GreenCan® is a solution designed as a fully recyclable paper-based, with up to 96% paper content and over 60% recycled materials.

Guillaume Sireix, Director of Sonoco GreenCan Studio, has a deep-rooted connection to the Francine brand. Having worked on the project for over 18 years, he continues the legacy of his father, Georges Sireix, who was instrumental in the development of GreenCan®. Reflecting on this journey, Guillaume shared: “Working on the Francine brand with my father was an incredible journey. His vision for sustainable, high-quality packaging lives on, and I’m proud to continue our partnership with GMP as we celebrate this major milestone.”

Philippe Choquet, Sales Manager for Sonoco Consumer Europe, added: “Grands Moulins de Paris has been a fantastic partner over the years, and we truly value the trust they place in us. The Sonoco GreenCan® solution perfectly aligns with GMP’s commitment to sustainability and premium quality. We’re excited to see the limited-edition Francine packaging come to life and look forward to many more years of collaboration.”

With over 96% recyclability and more than 60% recycled content, Sonoco’s GreenCan® is a testament to the company’s dedication to sustainable innovation. The limited-edition Francine Suprême flour packaging will be available in stores as part of the anniversary celebrations, offering consumers a nostalgic yet forward-thinking take on a beloved brand.

For more information, visit: https://www.grandsmoulinsdeparis.com/

Download the case study to learn how Sonoco’s GREENCAN® helped legacy brands such as Grand Moulin de Paris innovate sustainably.

About GREENCAN®

The Sonoco GREENCAN® recyclable paperboard package is made of 92-98% paperboard and features a wide range of barrier properties. Available in multiple shapes and sizes – from round, square or rectangular; to oval, oblong or triangular – it is ‘designed to recycle’ paper can, providing a highly recyclable packaging solution, with robust barrier properties.

Sonoco’s GREENCAN® also features an integrated paper lid, so when empty, the whole package can go through the household paper recycling stream without any need to disassemble it. This makes it simple and convenient for the consumer and for the whole recycling process.

About Grands Moulins de Paris

Founded in 1929, Grands Moulins de Paris is a leading French miller and part of the VIVESCIA cooperative group. The company produces premium flours and milling mixes, for artisanal bakeries, the food industry, and mass retailers throughout France and internationally. GMP promotes French baking expertise and is committed to protecting our environment through its sustainable development approach.

For more information contact: [email protected]
Tel +44 (0)7747 235 616 or [email protected]
www.sonocoeurope.com

“Working on the Francine brand with my father was an incredible journey. His vision for sustainable, high-quality packaging lives on, and I’m proud to continue our partnership with GMP as we celebrate this major milestone.”

Guillaume Sireix, Director of Sonoco GreenCan Studio

Lasa Mohamad

June 3, 2025

GreenCan®, News, Product, Product Development Innovation

Company News, Consumer Packaging, Customer Solutions, Customerpartnership, Grand Moulins de Paris 60 ans, GreenCan®, News, recyclability, Refill Containers, RigidBakingPackaging, Sonoco, Sustainability
NaturDrops Revolutionises Sustainable, Functional Healthy Dog Snacks in GreenCan® Solution

Hockenheim, Germany – Sonoco, a global leader in value-added sustainable metal and paper packaging, is excited to announce its partnership with NaturDrops GmbH, a newly established family-owned company dedicated to delivering natural, high-quality, and sustainable dog snacks. This collaboration is a heartfelt tribute to our furry four-legged friends by providing an eco-friendly packaging solution that ensures both pet health and environmental responsibility.

NaturDrops is part of Smart Food for Future GmbH, with a current focus on the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). The company is passionate about building strong brands in the functional food space, managing well-known names like LAYENBERGER international and ISOSTAR in Germany, while also developing innovative new concepts through agile teams. Their goal is to build meaningful sustainable brands that reflect the changing needs of their target audience. NaturDrops is your latest brand, offering natural, functional dog snacks that can be used flexibly—depending on the desired effect—as a supplement to food, preventively, or to support existing conditions. These snacks are suitable for daily use, independent of the main feed, and provide dogs with valuable functional nutrients. NaturDrops was launched in May 2025 after twelve months of development.

Sonoco’s GreenCan® solution will support NaturDrops’ innovative range of functional dog snacks, blending sustainability with a modern design. NaturDrops was founded primarily by Michael and Tanja Weinand and combines expertise from the retail and healthcare sectors with a strong commitment to pet well-being.

The NaturDrops product range features functional snacks specifically designed to promote dog health — supporting skin and coat, digestion, dental hygiene, and natural tick protection, among other key areas of dog health. The innovative Soft Drops are made with sustainable insect protein and fibre-rich sweet potato and include carefully selected active ingredients tailored to each function. A special feature is the unique herbal macerate — a fermented extract made from over 50 selected herbs. It helps create optimal conditions for the gut, preparing it to absorb the nutrients contained in the product more effectively, while naturally supporting digestive health.

NaturDrops’ commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect of their business, from ingredient sourcing to production. With Sonoco’s GreenCan® solution, the company ensures that its packaging is not only functional but also environmentally responsible. Sonoco’s GreenCan® is made from 96% paper, including 69% recycled material, with the remaining 4% consisting of the barrier protection. This sustainable design helps minimise waste while maintaining the high standards of quality expected by NaturDrops’ customers.

“The decision to use a sustainable packaging solution like GreenCan® was a natural fit for us, as our brand is built on the core values of naturalness, responsibility, and sustainability,” said Tanja Weinand, co-founder of NaturDrops. “From the name to the colours, imagery, and ingredients, everything revolves around the theme of nature. GreenCan’s high paper content and sustainable design give us the opportunity to make a bold statement, aligning perfectly with our brand culture.”

“Partnering with NaturDrops to provide innovative and sustainable packaging solutions for their healthy dog snacks is truly exciting for Sonoco,” said Dirk Karbach, German Sales Manager at Sonoco. “Our GreenCan® solution is a perfect fit for their commitment to both pet health and environmental responsibility, offering high-quality, eco-friendly packaging that aligns with their values. We are proud to be part of their journey in supporting our furry companions in the best way possible.”

NaturDrops represents a new era of pet care, offering snacks that are not only good for dogs but also good for the environment. With the support of Sonoco’s GreenCan® solution, NaturDrops is setting new industry standards by offering a healthy, sustainable alternative to traditional pet snacks—a perfect way to celebrate our furry four-legged friends.

For more information, visit: www.naturdrops.dog

Download the case study to learn how Sonoco’s GREENCAN® is helping NaturDrops deliver wellness for pets and the planet.

About GREENCAN®

The Sonoco GREENCAN® recyclable paperboard package is made of 92-98% paperboard and features a wide range of barrier properties. Available in multiple shapes and sizes – from round, square or rectangular; to oval, oblong or triangular – it is ‘designed to recycle’ paper can, providing a highly recyclable packaging solution, with robust barrier properties.

Sonoco’s GREENCAN® also features an integrated paper lid, so when empty, the whole package can go through the household paper recycling stream without any need to disassemble it. This makes it simple and convenient for the consumer and for the whole recycling process.

About NaturDrops

Natural. Functional. Sustainable.

NaturDrops GmbH is a young, innovative family-owned company based in Basel, specialising in the development of high-quality, functional dog snacks. Founded in April 2025 by Michael and Tanja Weinand, NaturDrops combines modern pet health with natural nutrition — scientifically grounded and lovingly developed.

The NaturDrops Vision: Snacks that do more.

In close collaboration with a team of veterinary experts, NaturDrops develops products that specifically promote the wellbeing and health of dogs — free from artificial additives and without compromising on quality or sustainability. The company places great importance on natural ingredients, gentle processing, and environmental awareness.

NaturDrops marks the beginning of a new era in healthy dog snacks — natural, sustainable, and backed by scientific expertise. Because dogs are more than pets: they’re family.

Media Contact:

Tanja & Michael Weinand

NaturDrops GmbH

+41 79 361 40 99

[email protected]

www.naturdrops.dog

For more information contact: [email protected]
Tel +44 (0)7747 235 616 or [email protected]
www.sonocoeurope.com

“The decision to use a sustainable packaging solution like GreenCan® was a natural fit for us, as our brand is built on the core values of naturalness, responsibility, and sustainability. From the name to the colours, imagery, and ingredients, everything revolves around the theme of nature. GreenCan’s high paper content and sustainable design give us the opportunity to make a bold statement, aligning perfectly with our brand culture.”

Tanja Weinard, co-founder of NaturDrops

Lasa Mohamad

May 27, 2025

GreenCan®, News, Product, Product Development Innovation

Company News, Consumer Packaging, Customer Solutions, GreenCan®, NaturDrops, new product, new product launch, News, Pet Packaging, petpaperpackaging, recyclability, SmartFood, Sonoco, Sustainability
DoggyLove packs plant-based dog treats in Sonoco’s GREENCAN®

Sonoco’s recyclable paper-based cans are a perfect fit with the company’s commitment to natural, organic produce and sustainability

Hockenheim, Germany – Pet snack manufacturing start-up, DoggyLove, based in Germany, has partnered with Sonoco and the paper-based GREENCAN® solution to bring its organic, plant-based pet treats to market.

Originally founded in 1956 as a butcher’s shop, and then later a catering business, this family-run firm recently decided to take things in a totally different direction, re-inventing itself as a pet food manufacturer. Following extensive consultations with veterinarians throughout 2023, DoggyLove began trading in 2024 – and finding the perfect packaging partner, with whom to launch its new range of products, was key.

“Our new business is personal to us, inspired by own dog, a labrador called Peggy, who was part of our lives for 15 years,” says Christoph Wirth, who owns and runs the business with his wife, Konstanze. “Peggy was the inspiration for DoggyLove and our core mission now is to develop healthy snacks to promote the health and well-being of all dogs.”

“We thought long and hard about what the right packaging was to present this product to market,” Mr Wirth continues. “To reflect the values of our brand, it was very important to us that it was both high quality and sustainable. Initially we wanted to use different packaging types from Asia for our products, but we quickly realised that it would entail the long delivery times and an increase in global political uncertainty for us. This has led us to decide in favour of a locally manufactured solution, which was also a perfect match with our values: GREENCAN®, the paper-based can from Sonoco.”

He adds: “GREENCAN® was unlike anything we saw from any other packaging provider, and it appealed to us on multiple levels because of the short delivery times, and because of its sustainability credentials, which are not only ethically important to us, but are also very important to our customers, giving us another angle to talk about in our marketing. Finally, the creative possibilities of being able to employ full-surface printing on the packaging, was also really appealing.”

“As a new brand, the way in which we’re perceived is important to us, and Sonoco’s GREENCAN® solution helps to reinforce our holistic brand image of responsible and sustainable production. We see this as just the beginning of our partnership and we’re already planning other potential products that would also be a perfect fit with this packaging.”

DoggyLove’s customers have also been impressed with the packaging – with early customer feedback describing it as “high quality”.

On the experience of working with Sonoco, Mr Wirth says: “We’ve always found our collaboration with Sonoco to be very pleasant and constructive. As a start-up, it was important for us to find the right partner to help bring our products to market and Sonoco has been very supportive during the whole product launch process. The service we’ve received has always been friendly, and both solution- and goal-orientated, with all of our questions dealt with quickly and comprehensively.”

Sascha Di Nardi, Sales Manager at Sonoco Germany, comments: “It’s been a pleasure working with Mr Wirth and the team to bring DoggyLove products to the market. We’re delighted to have found a suitable sustainable alternative in GREENCAN® for their packaging and are pleased to hear that they have had a positive response from their customers too. We look forward to continuing our partnership with DoggyLove in the future.”

About GREENCAN®

The Sonoco GREENCAN® recyclable paperboard package is made of 92-98% paperboard and features a wide range of barrier properties. Available in multiple shapes and sizes – from round, square or rectangular; to oval, oblong or triangular – it is ‘designed to recycle’ paper can, providing a highly recyclable packaging solution, with robust barrier properties.

Sonoco’s GREENCAN® also features an integrated paper lid, so when empty, the whole package can go through the household paper recycling stream without any need to disassemble it. This makes it simple and convenient for the consumer and for the whole recycling process.

About DoggyLove

DoggyLove manufactures high-quality, veterinarian-approved canine snacks that combine health, joy and well-being. For happy dogs and satisfied owners. For more information, visit: doggylove.de/

For more information contact: [email protected]
Tel +44 (0)7747 235 616 or [email protected]
www.sonocoeurope.com

Learn more at DoggyLove and Sonoco Success Story

“GREENCAN® was unlike anything we saw from any other packaging provider, and it appealed to us on multiple levels because of the short delivery times, and because of its sustainability credentials, which are not only ethically important to us, but are also very important to our customers, giving us another angle to talk about in our marketing. Finally, the creative possibilities of being able to employ full-surface printing on the packaging, was also really appealing.”

Christoph Wirth, co-owner of Doggylove

Lasa Mohamad

March 20, 2025

GreenCan®, News, Product, Product Development Innovation

Company News, Consumer Packaging, Customer Solutions, DoggyLove, GreenCan®, new product, new product launch, News, Pet Packaging, petpaperpackaging, recyclability, Sonoco, Sustainability
Sonoco announces speaker and exhibitor presence at Sustainability in Packaging Europe 2024

The company looks forward to being a Gold Sponsor of the prestigious event, which will unite more than 600 industry leaders, innovators and experts from across the packaging sector

Sonoco is pleased to announce that it is attending Sustainability in Packaging Europe 2024 as a Gold Sponsor. Hosted by Smithers, the event will take place Barcelona from October 8-10, 2024. The conference is one of the largest events in Europe to focus exclusively on sustainable packaging; it will bring together more than 600 industry leaders, innovators and experts from across the packaging sector.

The event offers a platform for professionals in the packaging sector to network, share updates new and innovative solutions, and discuss strategies to advance sustainability across the packaging supply chain.
As a Gold Sponsor of Sustainability in Packaging Europe 2024, Sonoco looks forward to speaking at the event and showcasing its latest innovations.

As part of the conference programme, Skye Oudemans and Peter Görlitz, both Sustainability Managers at Sonoco Europe, will present Sonoco’s journey to packaging circularity, highlighting the story of one of its customers – a leading snack brand, which successfully converted the iconic Pringles tube from a metal-end package to a fully recyclable paper-based tube with a paper end. Oudemans and Görlitz will be joined by Gillian Kinsella, Public Policy and Government Relations Manager at Kellanova, who was involved in the project.

Oudemans comments: “We’re excited to participate in the upcoming Sustainability in Packaging Europe 2024 event. We’re committed to driving positive environmental impact with our packaging innovations. In addition, we look forward to helping even more businesses convert to paper-based packaging.”

Görlitz adds: “Our participation and presence at this prestigious event aligns with Sonoco’s long-standing mission to create and deliver sustainable packaging, as well as circularity, globally.”

At the event, Sonoco will also exhibit its new 95% paper-based can with a paper end, which is part of its recyclable EnviroSense® portfolio, as well as its GREENCAN® and EnviroStick® packaging.

Part of the EnviroSense® portfolio, Sonoco’s 95% paper-based can is designed for various markets such as snacks and powdered coffee products with a milk froth. The new packaging incorporates a specially designed paper-based end and an option to include a valve on the membrane for a degassing application which plays a crucial role in protecting products like cappuccino, ensuring a perfect pour every time, while maintaining the convenience that consumers love. The innovative award-winning packaging solution, which is already in the market in some countries in Europe, is making a positive contribution to reducing packaging waste. It offers practical benefits, such as superior barrier properties that preserve the freshness and quality of the coffee, and a lightweight design for easy handling and transportation. Crucially, the new can meets the European and UK’s packaging regulations and is recyclable in existing systems across regions.

Recyclable by design, Sonoco’s rigid paperboard can is made with recycled fibre and features a highly effective oxygen and moisture barrier layer. This assures food safety and preserves shelf-life, while ensuring ease of recycling through household paper and cardboard streams.

Sonoco’s GREENCAN® recyclable paperboard package features a wide range of barrier properties. Available in multiple shapes and sizes – from round, square or rectangular; to oval, oblong or triangular – it is ‘designed to recycle’ paper can, providing a highly recyclable packaging solution, with robust barrier properties.

Join Sonoco and Kellanova as they present ‘The Journey to Circularity’ on 10 October, 12:25pm.
See Sonoco’s latest paper-based packaging solutions including the 95% fully recyclable award-winning Pringles tube on Stand 20.

Learn more about Sustainability In Packaging Europe 2024: https://www.sustainability-in-packaging.com/sustainability-in-packaging-europe

“We’re excited to participate in the upcoming Sustainability in Packaging Europe 2024 event. We’re committed to driving positive environmental impact with our packaging innovations. In addition, we look forward to helping even more businesses convert to paper-based packaging.”

Skye Oudemans, Associate Sustainability Manager

Lasa Mohamad

October 8, 2024

European Investments in sustainability, Event, GreenCan®, News, Product, Product Development Innovation, Uncategorised

Company News, Consumer Packaging, News, recyclability, Sonoco, Sustainability
New UK Research

UK public need clarity on changes to recycling policy: the next government should prioritise waste reform communications.

New research – commissioned by Sonoco and undertaken by Opinium – has found that the majority of the U.K. public (73%) has little to no awareness of the Government’s planned changes to national recycling policy.

UK Polling headlines:

Public awareness of upcoming changes to recycling policy is low: 73% have not heard of Simpler Recycling and, of the 27% who had, most have a poor grasp of what the policy will entail.

But consumers overwhelmingly want to do the right thing: 80% of them check whether an item is recyclable using either local recycling guidance or on-pack labels.

Most people prefer clear on-pack labels or council leaflets (66%) rather than social media or TV campaigns (22%) to present information about recyclability. And 71% of them say they do what the packaging says all or some of the time.

Chesterfield, The UK – The UK Government plans to introduce “Simpler Recycling” for households from 2026, with local authorities across England given a single list of materials that they must collect for recycling. However, polling shows that the public is unaware of the change and what it will mean for their local recycling collections. Of the 27% aware of the changes, most have a poor grasp of what the policy will entail.

Despite a lack of awareness about the wider policy, the research shows that consumers want to do the right thing – 80% of them check whether an item is recyclable using local recycling guidance or on-pack labels, and 71% say they do what the packaging tells them to do some or all of the time.

It was also found that most people prefer clear on-pack labels or council leaflets (66%) to present information about recyclability – rather than social media or TV campaigns (22%). And 71% of them say they do what the packaging says all or some of the time.

As a global leader in sustainable packaging, Sonoco is supportive for government leaders to take actions to improve communication about upcoming change and ensure the policy is comprehensive across all recyclable materials.

Skye Oudemans, Sustainability Manager at Sonoco, said:

“It’s clear that the public want clear guidance on what they can and can’t recycle – and are happy to pay attention to this guidance so they can do the right thing. But these results show that there’s some work for the next Government to do to communicate the upcoming changes with the public. Meanwhile, there’s an opportunity in this General Election campaign to put popular waste and resources policy at the heart of party proposals: the UK’s recycling policy should be simple, but it should also be ambitious, and we need to collect and recycle as much material as possible.”

Scott Byrne, Director of Global Sustainability Services at Sonoco, said:

“While Defra has done a lot of work on the recycling policy itself, the public are still unaware of the upcoming changes. There’s an opportunity throughout the General Election campaign for parties to set out bold and clear waste and resources policy – and Sonoco is calling on all parties to be ambitious, work with industry, and help to deliver a recycling system that raises the UK’s recycling rates.”

Paul Vanston, CEO of the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN), said:

“When the Government sets out clear guidance about what consumers should do with their packaging, the public listen and do the right thing. With the General Election campaign ongoing, all parties now have an opportunity to set out an ambitious vision for the waste and resources policy agenda, and we hope that they’ll start to do that soon. Post-election, we call on whoever makes up the next government to provide clarity to both industry and the general public as soon as possible, so that we can start to make inroads into boosting recycling rates.”

Sonoco is a global leader of sustainable consumer packaging, industrial products and protective packaging for some of the best-known UK food and non-food products. Driving investment across the regions of the UK, Sonoco employs approximately 900 employees across ten sites, operating manufacturing and recycling plants that help to deliver growth and Sonoco’s aim of being a responsible producer with a full recycling solution.

“While Defra has done a lot of work on the recycling policy itself, the public are still unaware of the upcoming changes. There’s an opportunity throughout the General Election campaign for parties to set out bold and clear waste and resources policy – and Sonoco is calling on all parties to be ambitious, work with industry, and help to deliver a recycling system that raises the UK’s recycling rates.”

Scott Byrne Director of Global Sustainability Services, Sonoco

drumbeat

June 25, 2024

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collaboration, Company News, Innovation, policy, recyclability, simpler recycling, Sustainability, UK
Recyclability of Sonoco’s Rigid Paper Containers

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drumbeat

June 29, 2023

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recyclability, Sustainability

Vetain Champions Sustainable Packaging with Sonoco’s Eco-Friendly, paper-based GreenCan® solution

Sonoco’s recyclable paper-based cans are a perfect fit with the company’s commitment to natural, organic produce and sustainability

The company looks forward to being a Gold Sponsor of the prestigious event, which will unite more than 600 industry leaders, innovators and experts from across the packaging sector

UK public need clarity on changes to recycling policy: the next government should prioritise waste reform communications.

Maximise recyclability with our rigid paper containers.

Get resources here