Plant-based food brand Upfield has announced what it says is the world’s first plastic-free and recyclable tub for its butters and spreads.
The plastic-free packaging is made with paper—compressed wet paper fibers—and Upfield’s new tubs are waterproof, oil-proof, and recyclable in local paper waste streams. Upfield aims to make the paper tub certified home compostable by 2025.
Upfield’s research and development team led the development of the paper butter tub and utilized Footprint’s materials science technology. It’s the culmination of a four-year-long effort and part of Upfield’s goal of reducing the firm’s plastic content by 80% by 2030 and replacing up to 2 billion plastic tubs, avoiding the use of over 25,000 tons of plastic annually. And, just so we know, the tub’s credentials are in check, as it has received Conventional Plastic Free Certification and utilizes PEFC-certified paper.
What’s more, it doesn’t have a plastic liner.
“We are proud to have created, with Footprint, an innovative paper-based tub that is durable, oil-resistant, and appealing and which many thought would be impossible with paper,” said Karina Cerderia, head of packaging for Upfield, via press release. “After years of dedicated focus from joint Upfield and Footprint R&D teams and dozens of prototypes, we made the impossible possible. This new paper tub marks a true milestone for sustainable packaging that significantly minimizes reliance on plastic. We will continue pushing boundaries through further innovation to adapt for compostability, develop new sizes and formats, and refine toward the optimal solution. We hope what we’ve achieved inspires other businesses to keep pursuing positive change.”
Upfield successfully launched the paper tub with its Flora brand in Austria in late 2023 and said it would roll out to more European countries this year.