Saputo teams up with Wipak to reduce virgin plastic use

Saputo Dairy UK has collaborated with packaging supplier Wipak UK to reduce the amount of virgin plastic used in its range of cheese block packaging.

The partnership saw the two companies reduce the amount of virgin plastic by 33%, replacing it with post-consumer recycled (PCR) material. The new cheese packaging is available at Marks & Spencer stores for a limited time due to the availability of the PCR resin.

Wipak UK’s external sales executive, Seb Wakerley, said: “We worked closely with Saputo – who supply a number of block cheese products to leading retailer, Marks & Spencer – on more sustainable packaging options. By sourcing PCR resins, we were able to manufacture a packaging solution that repurposed waste and diverted it from landfill or incineration.”

Saputo Dairy UK’s lead packaging manager, Neil Richards, added: “In 2020, we pledged to accelerate our global waste performance and announced clear targets to reduce our material use, increase the recycled or renewable content of our packaging and ensure that all of our packaging is either recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. This PCR project is a significant step towards helping us achieve this goal.”

He continued: “We are excited about the emerging technologies which are making it possible for us to trial food-grade PCR resins in our cheese packaging. As the technology is still in development, we expect the quantity of available material to increase in the future, allowing us to introduce PCR into a wider range of our products, whilst continuing to ensure the food safety and quality of our products.”