Designed to contain up to 98% paper content and facilitate home recyclability, Sonoco’s GreenCan solution has been utilized by start-up DoggyLove to package its plant-based pet treats.
GreenCan claims to contain between 92% and 98% paper content, which is thought to streamline its recyclability in kerbside recycling programmes. Its lightweight structure is intended to cut down on shipping weight, reducing both transportation costs and carbon emissions.
Nevertheless, it claims to retain the necessary strength and durability to keep products safe in transit and on the shelf. Customers can opt into barrier coatings to keep their products safe from external factors like moisture and oxygen – all without compromising the pack’s recyclability, Sonoco says.
Its surfaces are also fully printable, which enables companies to apply branding and design finishes that help products stand out on the shelf.
“We thought long and hard about what the right packaging was to present this product to market,” says Christoph Wirth, co-owner of DoggyLove. “To reflect the values of our brand, it was very important to us that it was both high quality and sustainable.
“Initially we wanted to use different packaging types from Asia for our products, but we quickly realised that it would entail the long delivery times and an increase in global political uncertainty for us. This has led us to decide in favour of a locally manufactured solution, which was also a perfect match with our values: GreenCan, the paper-based can from Sonoco.
“GreenCan was unlike anything we saw from any other packaging provider, and it appealed to us on multiple levels because of the short delivery times, and because of its sustainability credentials, which are not only ethically important to us, but are also very important to our customers, giving us another angle to talk about in our marketing. Finally, the creative possibilities of being able to employ full-surface printing on the packaging, was also really appealing.
“As a new brand, the way in which we’re perceived is important to us, and Sonoco’s GreenCan solution helps to reinforce our holistic brand image of responsible and sustainable production. We see this as just the beginning of our partnership and we’re already planning other potential products that would also be a perfect fit with this packaging.”
Reportedly, early feedback from DoggyLove’s consumers has described the GreenCan packaging as high-quality.
Sascha Di Nardi, sales manager at Sonoco Germany, adds: “It’s been a pleasure working with Mr Wirth and the team to bring DoggyLove products to the market. We’re delighted to have found a suitable sustainable alternative in GreenCan for their packaging and are pleased to hear that they have had a positive response from their customers too. We look forward to continuing our partnership with DoggyLove in the future.”
This development comes after a previous Amcor study found that 69% of pet owners would be influenced to buy pet food if its packaging is designed for sustainability, while 55% would be persuaded by on-pack recyclability claims.
Other companies have also switched to paper-based Sonoco cans. Marigold Health Foods is utilizing 95% paper cans for its plant-based food products, replacing the old pack with a metal base; and Nestlé has adopted its own 95% paper can for its coffee products, implementing a paper base in pursuit of full recyclability.
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