The maker of Clover and Cathedral City Cheddar is removing the non-recyclable cover papers from its Clover, Utterly Butterly and Country Life Spreadable products.
Saputo Dairy UK says the move will save around the equivalent weight of 10 hippos in unnecessary packaging.
It is making its pledge as it looks to commit to all packaging being reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025.
The company says it is “breaking new ground” as the first branded manufacturer to eliminate cover papers 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.
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.
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By removing them, Saputo says it is eliminating a significant source of waste, saving approximately 44 tonnes of unnecessary packaging from ending up in landfill each year – the equivalent weight of 10 hippopotamus.
Joanna Swan, senior brand manager, 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.”
In October last year, the company said that Cathedral City pre-grated cheese is to be packaged in flexible recyclable packaging, which will provide a 47% reduction in carbon footprint compared to the company’s previous packs.
