Saputo Dairy UK has announced a significant step forward in its sustainability efforts by removing non-recyclable cover papers from its Clover, Utterly Butterly, and Country Life Spreadable products.
This move is part of the company’s broader commitment to making all its packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.
Environmental benefits
The elimination of these cover papers, traditionally used to flatten the product for even filling and promotional purposes, is expected to prevent approximately 44 tonnes (t) of waste from ending up in landfills each year.
This amount of waste is comparable to the weight of ten hippopotamuses. The removal aligns with Saputo’s sustainability goals and sets a new standard within the industry.
Maintaining product quality
The decision to remove the cover papers does not affect the quality or freshness of the spreads. The existing lids on the packaging continue to ensure product hygiene and integrity.
It has been clarified that the cover paper was never intended as a tamper-evident feature, dispelling a common misconception.
This change demonstrates that the cover paper was unnecessary for maintaining the product’s standards.
Customer awareness
To inform customers of this change, a printed message will appear on the current cover papers from May to the end of June, with the full removal scheduled to begin in July 2024.
This initiative is seen as a crucial step towards Saputo’s goal of achieving 100% recyclable packaging by 2025.
Joanna Swan, senior brand manager for Spreads at Saputo Dairy UK, emphasised the company’s dedication to reducing waste and protecting natural resources, highlighting the positive environmental impact of this change:
“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.”
