Sonoco offers one-stop shop for sustainable packaging
The South Carolina-based firm claims it does this by substituting or eliminating materials, down-gauging structures and simplifying the package to improve its recyclability.
“We are working to balance the growing demand from our customers, consumers and retailers for ‘greener’ packaging with requirements for convenience, performance and price,” said Jeff Schuetz, staff vice president, Global Technology, Consumer Packaging.
Unilever turn to Sonoco solution
Unilever USA turned to Sonoco Global Plastics to help reduce its packaging costs and environmental footprint, by redesigning its Suave brand’s shampoo and conditioner bottles.
By adding a curve to the side of the bottle, the overall strength was improved, and the amount of resin required to produce the bottles reduced by 16 percent, Sonoco explained.
Sonoco’s new sustainable line of solutions is called True Blue. In order to qualify for the brand a package must provide a clear environmental advantage over the package it was created to replace either through the use of more sustainable materials or source reduction.
“Our True Blue brand gives consumer product customers a one-stop shop for sustainable packaging solutions,” said Schuetz. “By combining our True Blue line of products with our total packaging solutions capabilities, we’re creating sustainable value for our customers.”
Variety of sustainable solutions available
Unilever also implemented True Blue’s eco-friendly point-of-purchase (POP) display for its Vaseline Sheer Infusion body lotion, in a bid to achieve its sustainability goals.
By redesigning an existing floor-stand wing unit, Sonoco cut the paperboard required to produce the display in half, from 65.2 to 32.65 square feet.
“Because we’re not limited to just one sustainable packaging platform, technology or format, our customers can choose from a variety of innovative options that meet their unique needs,” added Schuetz.
“Our True Blue brand leverages Sonoco’s extensive skill and experience in developing superior design concepts that meet our customers’ performance, cost and sustainability requirements.”
Sonoco’s sustainability solutions have also been implemented by PJ’s Coffee Brand, Kraft Food brands, and computer company Hewlett Packard.
