Arla saves 270 tons of plastic annually with paper-based Skyr bucket

09 Jun 2020 --- Arla has developed a more sustainable packaging for its skyr bucket, boasting 40 percent less plastic and a notable 30 percent CO2 reduction. Every year, consumers across Europe buy 17 million skyr buckets from Arla, the company says and involving less plastic in the bucket corresponds to a reduction of 440 tons CO2 on a yearly basis. This amounts to a total plastic saving of 270 tons of plastic per year. Initially, the new skyr buckets will be available in five of Arla’s core markets: Denmark, Germany, Sweden, UK and the Netherlands.

Each bucket has sixteen grams less plastic than the previous packaging and both the bucket and lid are 100 percent recyclable. The reduced plastic is replaced with a cardboard wrapper made from certified cardboard, which originates from responsibly managed forests. The cardboard is easy to separate by the consumers and can be recycled. In other words, this means that Arla has removed plastic and replaced it with renewable cardboard.

“At Arla, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact and sustainable packaging is a vital part of the solution. Last year we converted more than one billion packaging items to sustainable materials across Europe. With our new skyr buckets we take the next step. We have minimized the use of plastic and reduced use of fossil-based material. This means that we in collaboration with our European consumers can reduce CO2 emission by 30 percent compared to the previous skyr bucket,” says Lise Berg Kildemark, Director of Sustainable Packaging at Arla.

Less is more in environmental impact
Creating new environmentally friendly packaging that also meets the requirements for food safety and functionality is a key focus for Arla. Therefore, the dairy company works hard to continuously improve the packaging and make it more sustainable.

 Arla has developed a more sustainable packaging for its skyr bucket, boasting 40 percent less plastic and a notable 30 percent CO2 reduction.“Using less plastic is a key part of Arla’s packaging strategy. We are constantly looking to reduce our carbon footprint and increase the sustainability of our packaging. And there is no doubt that reducing plastic is a vital aspect to achieve that goal. Therefore, we work closely together with our suppliers, researchers, and customers to find solutions to minimize the use of plastic,” says Berg Kildemark. 

”The perspective for the new skyr bucket is tremendous. Initially, we are replacing the old buckets in Denmark, Sweden, Germany, UK and the Netherlands, saving plastic and CO2. Going forward we will look to use the sustainable bucket in other countries and for other products as well. This packaging is a good example of how we invite our customers and suppliers to be part of the sustainable agenda, where circularity is the common goal,” she adds.

The cardboard is easy for the consumer to separate from the other packaging components and can be recycled. The remaining plastic used for the bucket, lid and label is made of polypropylene.

Pledging an eco-friendly future
The move is part of the company’s latest packaging strategy initiative and Arla says it is taking a step further towards its goal of producing the “world’s most sustainable dairy products.” By the end of the 2019, across six countries, Arla Foods made 600 million fresh milk cartons renewable and 560 million yogurt pots recyclable, cutting 7,330 tons of carbon in the process. The new packaging options are already available for consumers in Arla’s six main European markets – Sweden, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany and the UK.

“We have a rich back catalog of moves that have made our packaging better for the environment over the years. But no doubt, this year’s conversion of more than one billion packaging items is one of our biggest ever. Coupled with some other smaller initiatives, it means we will hit our CO2 savings target for packaging in 2019. But we have to deliver every year, so we are already developing plans for next year’s reduction,” says Arla’s Head of Europe, Peter Giørtz-Carlsen.

In 2018, Arla Food Germany became the first company to opt for the innovative Signature pack – the world’s first aseptic carton pack that is 100 percent linked to plant-based renewable material – from SIG, the carton pack and filling technology specialist. The Signature pack offers a fully renewable package, including the plastic closure fittings which are obtained through a strict certified traceability system in the manufacturing of the polymers. 

“With Signature pack, SIG and our customers can contribute to resource efficiency as the packaging is very lightweight, has a very high protection function for the filled product – avoiding food spoilage, is easily recyclable and with a 100 percent renewable raw material basis. The latter connects to the 77 percent share of cardboard, which is made from thinning wood out of sustainable forestry and from wood chip residues from the sawn mill industry,” Udo Felten, Manager Product Related Global Environmental Sustainability and Affairs at SIG, told PackagingInsights at the time.

By Kristiana Lalou