UK – Europe’s leading ice manufacturer and supplier, The Ice Co., has developed recyclable paper packaging for ice cubes to replace traditionally used plastic bags.
The Ice Co’s Super Cubes & Spring Water Ice Cubes’ bags are certified as “100 percent recyclable as paper”, believed to be a UK first in the frozen aisle.
The firm recognized how consumers are becoming more focused on sustainability, and how much this can impact their decision-making.
The Ice Co. is hoping that the NPD (New Product development) will resonate with shoppers looking for more sustainable products and packaging alternatives.
Polly Metcalfe, Managing Director at The Ice Co., commented: “This innovation means that as a business we can have a lesser impact on the planet. On average around 80% of paper is recycled in the UK, compared to just 40% of plastic, so being the first to debut and test this is really important to us.
“I believe we’re pioneers of this in the frozen category. Hopefully, a lot of brands will follow suit and we can lead the way to a more sustainable future.
“Not only does the plastic-free packaging have benefits for the consumer, but for retailers, it’s a superb social and corporate responsibility initiative, and a clear way to work towards the Global Climate Change Agreement.”
The Ice Co. has now completed Stage One of its wider sustainability drive, which saw the business switch to 100 percent green and renewable energy.
Stage Two’s goal to ‘reduce, remove, and eliminate,’ has already begun and recently saw the manufacturer reducing its plastic packaging by 30 percent, which in turn sparked the innovation for the new paper packaging.
The limited-edition packaging has been launched with The Ice Co.’s Spring Water Ice Cubes at the Co-op Glastonbury Festival store that began on 22 June and ended on Sunday, 26 June 2022.
The UK-based supermarket chain has taken the initiative to embrace sustainability with its products.
During Glastonbury Festival in 2019, Co-op did not sell single-use plastic bottles at the store and instead offered water in cans.
Additionally, Co-op’s own-brand sandwiches are sold in easy-to-recycle packaging and its fruit pots in compostable packaging. Crisps are also being sold in compostable packing.
Co-op’s soft plastic recycling units are made available at the store for customers to return their soft plastics for recycling during the festival.
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