UK glass container manufacturer and filler, Encirc, has worked with beverages giant, Britvic, to trial the removal of plastic shroud packaging on its drinks pallets set for the retail sector.
Encirc will replace the shrouding on thousands of pallets with straps that can be fully recycled once used.
It is estimated this trial will remove 2,000 tonnes of plastic packaging from Britvic’s retail supply chain every year while proving that 100% recyclable pallets are viable for Encirc and its beverage customers.
As part of the trial, Encirc is to replace single-use cardboard which layers the pallets with reusable plastic that can be washed after following the delivery.
This could remove a potential 24 kilograms of cardboard per pallet from the supply chain and contribute to Britvic’s circular packaging goals. Since 2021, Britvic has sent zero waste to landfill.
The trial aligns with Britvic’s aim to reduce its direct carbon footprint by 50% by 2025, and supports Encirc in helping reduce its own emissions in line with Vidrala’s Science-Based-Targets.
These goals were created as part of Vidrala’s Glass Made Good strategy.
The results from the trial will be announced in Autumn 2022.
Sales & Marketing Director, Rob Turvey at Encirc, said: ““We are always looking to help make our supply chain as efficient and sustainable as possible.
"Our 360 service where we manufacture, store, fill and distribute products to retail, from a single site is already unique, and this trial will further help us slash wastage and inefficiency. It’s trials like these which pave a sustainable way forward for our industry.”
Craig Sayer, Britvic Leeds Site Operations Manager stated: “It’s so important to us that we work with companies and suppliers like Encirc who share our sustainability ambitions, helping us progress with the goals in our Healthier People, Healthier Planet strategy.”
