GRAHAM’S Dairy is poised to become the UK’s first dairy to roll out fresh milk to retailers in fully recyclable cartons using tethered caps.
The Scottish firm has teamed up with packaging company Elopak and selected its Pure-Pak cartons and Pure-TwistFlip tethered caps.
Graham’s Dairy is releasing its new-style cartons in response to environmental concerns, as well as the EU’s new Single-Use Plastic Directive.
Elopak’s Pure-TwistFlip tethered cap is designed to remain attached to the carton throughout use and ensure cap and carton are recycled together. The cap will be applied to the Graham’s 500ml carton range, including standard and organic milk, available from more than 800 Sainsbury’s stores.
The first cartons of milk with tethered caps are scheduled to hit the shelves this week.
Elopak’s Pure-Pak are fully recyclable, where infrastructure is available, and amade with paperboard from controlled forestry. The new tethered Pure-TwistFlip cap, with its twist and flip open mechanic, is said to ensure the cap can’t be removed from the carton, while remaining easy to pour and re-close.
Martin Shaw, Elopak’s market unit manager, UK & Ireland, said, “We are delighted that Graham’s Dairy have chosen us as their partners and are using our Pure-Pak cartons and Pure-TwistFlip tethered caps for their milk carton range on sale in Sainsbury’s stores. Consumers have become a lot more knowledgeable when it comes to recycling and plastic reduction, and are demanding packaging that reflects this.
“Graham’s are now setting the pace in the dairy industry by choosing our solution. Designed to meet regulations, the tethered cap will help to reduce ocean pollution, reduce plastic waste and are easy and convenient to use and recycle.
“Over the next few years, we expect to see an even greater focus on plastic reduction and carbon reduction across the UK food and beverage industry, by brands, retailers, and packaging suppliers. A lot of progress has been made but there is more to do, and time is of the essence. The overall sustainability drive and the need for customers to waste less mean they need to find readily available fully recyclable options, and Elopak’s solutions specifically fit that brief.”
