European packaging company Coveris has launched a range of fully recyclable grated cheese packs in partnership with Ornua Foods.
The launch marks a major milestone in the packaging of cheese, which has moved from a mixed, triple-ply nylon laminate – one of the hardest to recycle materials – to a fully recyclable polyethylene (PE) monolaminate structure with built-in barrier properties.
The new MonoFlexBE format matches current shelf-life requirements, as well as maintaining packing line efficiencies. The film also delivers a significant plastic weight reduction of 680mg of plastic per bag to offer further carbon savings.
Like its counterpart, the new high-clarity format also features a resealable zip for improved convenience and is fully printed up to 9 colours HD flexo with a matt lacquer for a tactile finish and improved rigidity.
Denise Mathieson, senior packaging manager at Tesco, said: “We’re really excited to have worked with Coveris on this new material, it is yet another step closer to realising our ambition of single polymer packaging which is much easier to recycle.”
Switching from the current hard-to-recycle plastic and switching to the new design is predicted to move circa 411 tonnes of plastic into a dedicated recycling stream annually. Given its lightweight properties, the packs will also deliver a plastic saving of around 32 tonnes.
The packaging launch is currently available across selected packs of Tesco grated cheese in stores nationwide. A full category launch is set to follow across the retailer’s own-brand grated cheese lines.
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024
