Major food and beverage brands are replacing plastic packaging with paper-based alternatives like aseptic cartons, fiber bags, and cardboard tubes that maintain product quality while reducing environmental impact.
- SodaStream adopted SIG Dome 500ml aseptic carton bottles made from FSC-certified paperboard with 100% renewable electricity production for its fruit syrups
- Mastronardi Produce introduced paper bags for green leaf lettuce using 65% less plastic while maintaining freshness and shelf appeal
- Presto instant coffee launched in a fully recyclable cardboard tube through Waitrose, claimed as a world-first for the instant coffee category
- Paper-based packaging solutions combine structural functionality with environmental benefits, supporting waste reduction targets and industry sustainability standards
- Fiber-based alternatives are easier to recycle through standard paper and cardboard streams compared to conventional foil, plastic laminates, and composite materials
These innovations highlight the significant progress being made in adopting paper-based solutions, driven by both functionality and sustainability.
Learn more about ThePackHub's Innovation Zone here.
Carton bottle adopted for SodaStream's syrup packaging
SodaStream has selected the SIG Dome 500ml carton bottle for its Apple and Grape Schorlen-Mix syrups, marking the company’s first use of aseptic carton packaging. This shift accompanies SodaStream’s entry into the fruit Schorlen segment and represents a move towards more sustainable packaging formats. The SIG Dome is designed to combine the structural and logistical benefits of a bottle with the environmental advantages of a carton. Made primarily from FSC-certified paperboard, the packaging is produced using 100% renewable electricity and is intended to be fully recyclable. A key feature of the format is its centrally positioned closure, which mimics the familiar handling experience of conventional plastic bottles while reducing overall plastic content. The lightweight structure aids in transport efficiency and carbon reduction, contributing to a lower environmental footprint across the supply chain. SIG positions the Dome as a hybrid solution offering both consumer convenience and compliance with evolving sustainability standards. With this adoption, SodaStream expands its packaging portfolio beyond traditional plastic containers, aligning with wider industry trends towards fiber-based alternatives that maintain functionality in liquid applications.
The lettuce paper bag is designed to replace conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays and uses 65% less plastic while still maintaining product freshness and shelf appeal.ThePackHub
Mastronardi Produce introduces paper bag for leafy greens
Canada-based Mastronardi Produce has introduced a paper-based packaging solution for its Backyard Farms Green Leaf Lettuce, aiming to reduce reliance on plastic in fresh produce formats. The lettuce paper bag is designed to replace conventional polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays and reportedly uses 65% less plastic while still maintaining product freshness and shelf appeal. Developed for retail application, the bag is structured to preserve the crispness of green leaf lettuce, a requirement for maintaining consumer acceptability in leafy greens. The hybrid material composition enables moisture control while delivering a more sustainable alternative to rigid plastic packaging commonly used in the fresh produce sector. The launch aligns with increasing retailer and consumer expectations for packaging that supports waste reduction targets without compromising food quality. Mastronardi’s initiative represents a shift towards fiber-based packaging formats in the produce aisle, particularly for products that traditionally rely on plastic for visibility and structural integrity.
The instant-coffee is claimed to be packaged in a 100% cardboard recyclable tube.ThePackHub
Presto's instant coffee now launched in 100 % fully recyclable packaging
UK supermarket chain Waitrose is listing an instant-coffee product from Presto that is claimed to be packaged in a 100% cardboard recyclable tube, making it among the first in this category to adopt a fully fiber-based primary packaging format. The work addresses issues with conventional instant-coffee packaging (often foil, plastic laminates or non-recyclable composites) by offering a cardboard tube which can be recycled through standard paper/cardboard recycling streams. The packaging is presented as a “world-first” format for instant coffee. The move supports the trend of switching from mixed-material or plastic-dominant formats to fiber-based solutions that are easier to recycle.
Learn more about ThePackHub's Innovation Zone here.
