Unilever will launch a wrapper-less multipack for its Solero organic peach product in the UK, featuring 35% less plastic compared to the original ice cream.
Multipack boxes feature built-in compartments so the individual ice creams can be inserted without a plastic wrapper. The boxes are made from polyethylene-coated cardboard and can be widely recycled in the UK, Unilever said.
The wrapper-less packaging will be trialled exclusively with Ocado as of 17 June, with a limited number of products, to gather consumer responses.
“As we head towards summer, we’ve listened to our customers and are working hard to rethink plastic packaging for our ice cream ranges,” said Noel Clarke, vice president of refreshment at Unilever.
“We’re delighted to be trialling this wrapper-less Solero multipack with Ocado in the UK. If successful and the feedback from customers is positive, this innovative pack could reduce the amount of plastic we use in the future to package our ice creams.”
Earlier this year, Unilever launched its ‘#GetPlasticWise’ campaign, which aims to rethink plastic use in the UK. Globally, the company has committed to making all its plastic packaging fully reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
For the UK and Ireland, Unilever said wants to significantly accelerate this, as well as make a significant contribution towards the UK Plastics Pact targets.
Helen Bird, strategic engagement manager at WRAP (which manages The UK Plastics Pact), said: “We’re really impressed with the level of innovation and creativity that Unilever, a founding member of The UK Plastics Pact, has shown in developing this new pack.
“It will be welcomed by shoppers who we know want to be able to recycle the packaging they bring home from supermarkets. We look forward to seeing the results of the trial.”
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