The milk carton is, well a milk carton, isn’t it? That is unless it’s a Brik Edge carton from Tetra Pak, the global packaging company, and what’s more it’s environmentally friendly.
The first Brik Edge milk packaging in Australia got underway at the Parmalat processing plant in the Melbourne suburb of Rowville today and its certain to be a minor revolution for users.
No more wondering which side of the gable top to pop open, it’s now just a matter of twisting the plastic cap and removing the inner seal.
Parmalat, which fields fresh white milk brands Pauls Full Cream, Rev and Skinny Milk in Victoria, launched what it says is the first significant innovation in fresh white milk packaging for 10 years, in conjunction with packaging leader, Tetra Pak.
Parmalat’s Rowville processing plant has been reconfigured to allow a shift from existing gable top cartons to the new Tetra Brik Edge carton, which certainly seems easier to use and is the only Forest Stewardship Council certified milk carton available in Australia.
FSC is an international association of members consisting of a diverse group of representatives from environmental and social groups, the timber trade and the forestry profession, indigenous people’s organisations, responsible corporations, community forestry groups and forest product certification organisations and its label provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products,
Pauls fresh white milk brands account for 50.8 per cent of Victoria’s branded fresh white milk grocery market.
The company believes the radical packaging, the result of a $2.2 million refit at Rowville, will not only hold continuing loyal customers, but also attract new customers with its promise of better storage, improved convenience, ease of use and unique environmental profile.
On hand to launch to new production line was Richard Dalla-Riva, Minister for Manufacturing, Exports and Trade, who praised Parmalat and Tetra Pak for their innovation.
Parmalat Australia General Manager, Marketing, David Waugh, said “Consumers have experienced difficulties opening existing milk cartons so we’re really excited to deliver an innovative alternative that has been designed to make opening, pouring and resealing much easier.
“We’re first to market in Australia with this packaging innovation from Tetra Pak, a paper-based carton that has Forest Stewardship Council certification and a resealable twist-cap on a sloping top panel.
“The new cartons store and stack more easily than the traditional milk cartons and keep milk fresh throughout its shelf life,” Mr Waugh added.
Parmalat’s investment in Tetra Pak’s integrated packaging and processing system has provided an opportunity to bring to a new market an award winning FSC certified package, already well established in other global markets.
Tetra Pak Oceania Managing Director, Noel Ayre, said Tetra Brik Edge has been recognised as “Package of the Year” by the Swedish Rheumatism Association for its ease-of-use by people with restricted hand mobility.
The packaging is aimed at being much easier for people with mobility problems to open and the resealing cap is designed to keep the product in fresher condition.
In response to a question about the use of plastic for the cap a Tetra Pak spokesperson said: “The Tetra Brik Edge carton caps are made from polyethylene so although no packaging yet is fully sustainable, Tetra Pak is committed to being a leader in sustainable packaging.
Tetra Pak introduced recycled caps/seals into Brazil earlier this year but this innovation is still a while away from being common across the full product range.”
“That, on top of FSC certification, makes us very proud of this particular package and very pleased that Tetra Pak has been able to partner with Parmalat to bring this innovation to Pauls Milk,” Mr Ayre added.
Just wondering about those plastic caps??
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My first thought too – not exactly ‘environmentally friendly’! I’m trying to cut down on plastic, so definitely will stop buying this milk. Can’t they make the existing cartons with FSC-certified material?
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In response to a question about the use of plastic for the cap a Tetra Pak spokesperson said: “The Tetra Brik Edge carton caps are made from polyethylene so although no packaging yet is fully sustainable, Tetra Pak is committed to being a leader in sustainable packaging.
Tetra Pak introduced recycled caps/seals into Brazil earlier this year but this innovation is still a while away from being common across the full product range.”
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its not made from recycled stock, it’s probably almost impossible TO recycle.
how is this a sustainable initiative?
lets get a reusable bottle or keg system going:)
or teach us how to make our own oat milk so we don’t have to contribute to the suffering of cows en masse…
& regarding your email to me (thanks for that) ‘The packaging is FSC approved, all fibres are from sustainable forestry, and while we would question the use of plastic caps Tetra Pak says they are as environmentally friendly as they can be at the moment.’
REFLEX paper was FSC approved until recently and their web page says it still is.. so FSC doesn’t really equate to sustainable…
blah..
http://www.reflex.com.au/Responsible-Fibre-Sourcing/
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Deano,
No where in the story does it say that the packaging is made from recycled stock.Nor does it discuss whether it can be recycled, although that is a worthwhile point.
It says that the material used has FSC approval which means it has to be sourced from sustainable forests, if you want to debate the veracity of the FSC that is a different matter.
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The plastic caps are recyclable but sadly most collectors of recyclables would not be interested as they are of low $ value compared to the handling.
How recyclable are the cartons?.
Are they sent overseas to be recycled?. This adds to the environmental ‘footprint’ of transportation fuel and polution.
Once upon a time, milk was sold in a “reusable” glass bottle and when it go chipped was “recycled” as glass.
Nowadays, spurious clams are made for products which have a short life span and contain plastic products which are in turn come from oil, a non-renewable resource which has polluting components throughout the process.
If the container had some level of re use, then some of these claims might have merit, as it is, it sounds like greenwashing.
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Glad everyone is commenting on the plastic lid. Also not sure what is so new. I drink Soy and they’ve been using these cartons for years.
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The screw caps are fine but removing the seal beneath can be a real struggle – I can’t imagine that elderly arthritis sufferers who allegedly had difficulties with the gable end opening would find this innovation an improvement!
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Want to see where the caps go? Google ‘from the gyre’.
Not at dinnertime.
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We used skinny milk made by Pauls until they introduced the new packaging. Young children cannot manage top and also when first pouring liable to spill so very awkward.Biggest reason for stopping is kids tend not to put top back on and lose it. We swapped brands because of this.
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My concern is also about the recyclability of the caps. In addition the small pull ring under the cap could be a hazard to small animals if it ends up where it shouldn’t. The ring should be at least cut through before disposal.
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