The initiative marks a major step towards sustainable packaging for the manufacturer with all packaging for these spreads now fully recyclable
Saputo Dairy UK, a producer of leading British food brands, today proudly announces a significant milestone in its sustainability journey. As part of its commitment to ensure all packaging is reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025, the Company is removing the non-recyclable cover papers from its Clover, Utterly Butterly and Country Life Spreadable products.
Saputo is breaking new ground as the first branded manufacturer to eliminate cover papers[1] from spreads packaging. With the tubs and lids for these brands already recyclable, this new change means all packaging for these spreads is now fully recyclable. The initiative aligns with its broader sustainability goals and sets a clear benchmark for the industry.
Cover papers in spreads packaging are traditionally used to flatten the product for even filling and to provide a surface for promotional messages. However, these greaseproof papers are not recyclable due to their tightly bound fibres and difficulty in separating them during waste management. By removing them, Saputo is eliminating a significant source of waste, saving approximately 44 tonnes of unnecessary packaging[2] from ending up in landfill each year – the equivalent weight of 10 hippopotamus.
Key Insights and Benefits
Environmental Impact: Removing cover papers prevents 44 tonnes of packaging[3] from going to landfill annually, reducing the products’ environmental footprint.
Product Quality: The cover paper is not essential for maintaining the quality or freshness of the spreads. The existing lid ensures product hygiene and integrity[4].
Tamper Evidence: The cover paper has never served as a tamper-evident feature; this is a common misconception. The integrity of the product packaging remains uncompromised.
Joanna Swan, Senior Brand Manager for Spreads at Saputo Dairy UK comments: “As a producer of leading British food brands, we are determined to play an active role in reducing waste and looking after our natural resources.
“The cover paper is not needed for product quality, freshness or hygiene, as the lid does this job. By removing it we can save a significant amount of unnecessary packaging each year from going to landfill.
“In general people want to do the right thing but there is a lot of ambiguity and varying guidance around what can or cannot be recycled. Therefore, removing unnecessary packaging is the good choice for the environment. As a leading brand, this one small change from us can make a difference to the planet.”
A printed message alerting customers of the move will be on existing cover papers from May until the end of June, with full removal of the papers commencing from July 2024. This initiative is a crucial step towards achieving the goal of making all packaging 100% recyclable by 2025, reinforcing the Company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
[1] Based on annual competitor packaging reviews carried out by Saputo Dairy UK between September 2023 – June 2024
[2]Calculations based on before and after weights of packaging totals with the weight before removals totalling 50.35 tonnes
[3]Calculations based on before and after weights of packaging totals with the weight before removals totalling 50.35 tonnes
[4] Based on comparative testing carried out between 8th February – 29th June 2022 by Saputo Dairy UK on the products with and without the cover leaf throughout shelf life and organoleptic testing.
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