Page 44 - Plastics News January 2021

produCt news

Amcor launches new carbon DS Smith, Vig Pak launch 100%

labelling service for brands on recyclable, biodegradable cooler

packaging
ackaging company DS Smith has partnered with Vig
PPak to launch the first sustainable alternative cooler
K-based company Amcor has announced a new labelling
Uservice option for brands to demonstrate their carbon system to Styrofoam. Named Brrr Box, the patented
reduction efforts to end consumers.The company said cooler is 100% recyclable and biodegradable.The box
that brands can opt to print ‘Reducing CO2 Packaging’ leverages DS Smith’s Greencoat corrugated moisture-
label created by Carbon Trust on Amcor packaging from resistant and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
this year. The decision is in line with Amcor’s lifecycle food contact-safe material. Created from sustainable
and renewable fibre, Greencoat lowers entry of waste
to landfills and carbon emissions. DS Smith Packaging
North America sales, marketing and innovation director
Melanie Galloway said: “Greencoat was launched 13
years ago as a revolutionary product created to survive
the harsh poultry shipping supply-chain and has since
been adopted by a number of other markets. “Brrr Box
is a natural extension of the product line that’s ideal for
consumers looking for an eco-friendly, durable way to
transport ice and cold beverages without the negative
impact of Styrofoam.”Designed to keep contents cold
assessment service, which helps brands to measure their for up to eight hours, the box can be opened and closed
packaging’s carbon footprint from raw materials through with one hand and assembled in around five seconds.
end-of-use and independently communicate the same. It can also accommodate a dozen 12-ounce beverages
Amcor Flexibles sustainability director Gerald Rebitzer and 10lb of ice. Brrr Box co-founder and president Ed
said: “Consumers are concerned about climate change Battle revealed that a major US convenience store
and want to reward those brands that demonstrate they chain is using Brrr Box to replace Styrofoam coolers.
are taking action.“We work with customers to help them Ed Battle said: “The chain was looking for a disposable
measure and reduce their packaging’s carbon footprint.
“This can be achieved by using lower-impact materials
such as films made from plant-based material instead
of fossil-fuels; by designing for recycling streams; light-
weighting and other methods.” Companies need to
demonstrate a carbon footprint reduction of 20% or more
to use the label, noted Amcor.Carbon Trust conducts audits
every year and certifies the methodology used in ASSET so
that brands are aware of the relevant industry standards.
Amcor completed the first customer pilot for the labelling
service in Europe and is planning to speed-up roll-out in
the next few months. Carbon Trust senior manager Silvana cooler that performed as well as Styrofoam, first
Centty said: “It is great to see companies like Amcor and foremost. “They are also conscious of precious
develop tools to provide transparent carbon footprint floor space in stores, and Brrr Box is shipped and
information to their customers. The ability for Amcor’s displayed flat, so they can carry more inventory in a
packaging to also include the Carbon Trust carbon label much smaller footprint. “And, frankly, they wanted an
goes one step further in helping brands to communicate environmentally friendly alternative as well. Brrr Box
their carbon reduction efforts to end consumers.” is the only product that does that.”

Plastics News Januar y 2021 44