Iceland Foods Partners with Paptic for Sustainable, Reusable Carrier Bags

Iceland Foods has introduced reusable carrier bags made from Paptic’s wood fibre-based material, designed to carry heavy, wet, and frozen goods over long distances. These bags are moisture-resistant, recyclable, and claim to use 40% less raw materials than traditional strong paper solutions. The wood fibres for these bags come from sustainably managed forests, and at the end of their life, the bags can be recycled with paper or cardboard.

Paptic’s material aims to optimize raw material usage, assist brands in moving away from plastic, and protect natural habitats. Iceland Foods has rolled out these innovative bags across all its UK stores, including the Food Warehouse, as part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability. The bags can be folded and reused multiple times, with instructions provided on the bag itself.

Mark Armstrong, senior packaging technologist at Iceland Foods, highlighted the retailer’s commitment to improving customer offerings and meeting sustainability goals. After extensive piloting, Iceland decided that Paptic’s bags were the best choice for both customers and the environment. Jukka Rovamaa, business segment director at Paptic Ltd, expressed excitement about the partnership, noting the material’s superior functional, cost, and sustainability benefits compared to conventional options.

Iceland Foods has been a pioneer in reducing plastic usage, being the first UK retailer to commit to eliminating plastic packaging from its own-brand products in 2018. This initiative is part of a broader strategy that includes collaborations with various companies to replace plastic with sustainable materials. Paptic has also worked with other brands, like Dorsal, to phase out fossil-based plastics in their packaging. By the end of 2023, Paptic secured €27.5 million in growth financing, reflecting strong support for its sustainable solutions.