Marigold and Sonoco partner to launch fully recyclable can with paper base

The can body is reportedly made from 95% paper, primarily sourced from recycled materials, including 60% post-consumer recycled fibre. The remaining 5% consists of an inner liner designed to protect the product. This new packaging is now available in most UK supermarkets and can be recycled through the UK’s paper waste stream. It also features the latest OPRL recycling logo to guide consumers in recycling correctly.

The previous packaging, which combined a cardboard body with a metal base, posed recycling difficulties. However, Marigold has invested in new machinery to replace the metal base with a paper-based alternative developed by Sonoco. As a result, the packaging now consists of an all-paper body and base, which can be recycled at the kerbside.

This shift is intended to improve the environmental impact of the packaging and comply with key UK and European packaging and recycling regulations. Marigold’s new packaging is mainly made from paperboard, with secondary materials like an aluminium seal and a plastic LDPE lid.

The EnviroCan Paper Bottom is designed to maintain food safety and extend shelf life by providing an oxygen and moisture barrier. Marigold reports that the new design has reduced the packaging’s weight by more than 20%, which in turn lowers transport fuel consumption. The company claims that the new packaging has a smaller environmental footprint compared to other rigid packaging types and is made from sustainably sourced, recyclable materials.

Last month, ProAmpac announced it was commercialising its fibre-based, kerbside-recyclable ProActive Recyclable RP-1050 as a replacement for traditional plastic films used in overwrap packaging for bathroom tissue, paper towels, and feminine care products. Compared to rigid packaging, this flexible solution is said to use less energy and fewer natural resources during production.

Welton, Bibby & Baron also recently revealed it was converting Mondi’s thinnest barrier paper into premium bags for pre-packed fresh bread. The paper is designed to be recycled kerbside after use and is reportedly strong enough for higher filling weights while protecting food from water vapour, grease, and moisture.