Nestlé Coffee adopts Sonoco’s 95% paper-based can for a greener future

SWITZERLAND – Nestlé has partnered with Sonoco to introduce a 95% paper-based can for its coffee products, aiming for full recyclability while maintaining the high barrier properties of conventional packaging.

This innovation is part of Sonoco’s strategy to offer eco-friendly solutions that reduce packaging weight and improve sustainability.

The new can, featuring a fibre-based bottom instead of the traditional metal base, is designed to be fully recyclable in European households.

Sonoco asserts that the packaging complies with UK regulations and can be processed through the country’s existing recycling systems.

This paper-based can is lighter than traditional metal cans, enhancing ease of handling and transportation without compromising its barrier properties.

It is the latest product in Sonoco’s EnviroCan Paper Bottom range, which focuses on minimizing plastic use and boosting recyclability to help companies achieve their sustainability targets.

Sean Cairns, president of Global RPC at Sonoco, highlighted the importance of this innovation, saying, “We are proud to have contributed to this latest advancement in the coffee market.

“This recyclable paper-end can with medium to high barrier properties marks a significant step towards more sustainable packaging. We hope this success inspires other companies to adopt similar solutions.”

Other eco-friendly packaging innovations

Sonoco’s collaboration with Nestlé follows a similar development from July when the company introduced a 90% paper-based Pringles can.

Like the Nestlé coffee can, it features a paper base and is designed to fit into existing recycling streams.

The Pringles can also incorporate recycled content and debuted in Irish retailers in September. Pringles’ parent company, Kellanova Europe, aims to achieve fully recyclable, reusable, and compostable packaging by 2025.

In addition to Pringles, Marigold Health Foods has adopted Sonoco’s 95% paper can for its natural, plant-based food products, including stock cubes, sauces, and meat alternatives.

Notably, 60% of the paper comes from post-consumer recycled fibre, and only 5% of the pack has an inner liner to protect the food.

Nestlé expands sustainable packaging with quality street paper tub trial

In another move toward sustainability, Nestlé is set to trial a paper tub for its Quality Street brand in select Tesco stores.

Over 200,000 of these paper tubs, carrying approximately 150 tonnes of sweets, will be available during the festive season.

The tub, featuring the iconic Quality Street purple with gold foil accents, includes an integrated re-close feature, making it easy to reseal after opening.

Nestlé emphasizes that the tub has undergone rigorous testing to ensure food quality and freshness during transportation and storage. The trial aims to gauge customer feedback and assess its impact on supply chain processes.

This initiative builds on Nestlé’s 2022 shift to recyclable paper packaging for its twist-wrapped sweets. This change replaced a double layer of foil and cellulose with a single paper wrap, eliminating nearly two billion pieces of packaging from its supply chain.

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