Greiner Packaging will integrate mechanically recycled polystyrene into its K3 cups – a move set to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 10% compared to previous K3 multipack cups.
The K3 is described as a carton-wrapped plastic cup. Its carton layer was mostly made from recycled cardboard and can be easily separated from the cup – a solution set to reduce plastic consumption and facilitate separate material recycling.
Now it plans to implement recyclate in an ABA structure. The outer and inner ‘A’ layers are made from virgin material, while the middle ‘B’ layer consists of mechanically recycled polystyrene.
This approach is set to implement a ‘significant proportion’ of recycled material without impacting quality or food safety. Greiner also hopes that the format will facilitate sustainability-minded consumption without requiring consumers to alter their usual behaviours.
“With the introduction of K3 cups containing rPS, we are setting a milestone for sustainable packaging in Switzerland,” said Tobias Strasser, managing director, Greiner Packaging Switzerland. “We are proud to close the polystyrene loop together with strong partners while still meeting the high standards of product safety and quality.”
Set to roll out in the first half of 2026, the format will be produced at Greiner’s Diepoldsau site and utilized by Swiss dairy producers.
“As a traditional Swiss company, we take responsibility and continuously make our packaging more sustainable,” commented Marc Heim, head of Switzerland Division, Emmi Group. “Our yoghurt cup now contains a recycled material share, making an important contribution to promoting the circular economy.”
“We see the introduction of rPS in K3 cups as a great opportunity for the entire industry,” added Elsa Group CEO Matthew Robin. “By exploring new paths together, we not only contribute to climate protection but also create solutions that are easy for consumers to understand and implement.”
In similar news, INEOS Styrolution has used its “super clean” purification process to mechanically recycle polystyrene into yoghurt cups for Lidl supermarket shelves. The recycled material is said to provide the same physical properties as conventionally produced polystyrene, while the environmental footprint of a recycled cup is expected to be ‘significantly lower’ than that of a conventional polystyrene cup.
Since then, Coexpan and Eslava Plásticos have joined forces to decontaminate and recycle post-consumer polystyrene like yoghurt cups into food-grade packaging. Reportedly, the carbon footprint of mechanical recycling is lower than other recycling methods, and the rPS itself is believed to meet high regulatory standards for quality and safety.
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