Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cereal packaging is going fully paper based with the trial of a paper liner in the UK that can be widely recycled.
The pilot will take place in partnership with British grocery and merchandise retailer Tesco in a few of their stores this month, with the results helping to shape Kellogg’s future packaging plans.
The plastic inner liner in cereal boxes is not currently widely accepted in kerbside recycling.
In creating the paper-based inner packaging, Kellogg’s packaging technologists have worked to ensure that the liner can survive the process involved in filling and sealing millions of bags in boxes of cereal produced in its factory and transporting them to retailers.
It’s also important the cereal is kept fresh inside a paper liner as cereal has a 12-month shelf life.
The company says that the results of this trial are crucial as it plans for fully recyclable cereal packaging – whether that be plastic liners recyclable at kerbside, similar to the situation in Ireland and Belgium, or the roll out of cereal packaging that is fully paper based.
The outer recycled card packaging of the company’s iconic cereal boxes are, of course, fully recyclable and have been for many years.
David Roberts, packaging development manager, Kellogg Australia says, “Kellogg is committed to improving its food and packaging so that it’s better for people, the planet and the community. The Kellogg’s UK pilot of paper-based cereal liner at Tesco is a trial, we will review the results as we work towards our sustainability commitment of 100% reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging by 2025.
“We’re proud of the positive impact we have made, including reducing the amount of packaging we use and increasing its recyclability,” he added, confirming that the company has helped educate consumers on how to recycle through the inclusion of the ARL on its packs, and partnerships with REDCycle and Replas.
Kellogg Australia’s efforts were recently recognised with two Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) Awards.