8 PW FEB2022
NEWS
Kellogg’s Reveals Recyclable Paper Liners in Cereal Boxes Kellogg’s Corn Flakes cereal packaging is testing fully paper-based films with the trial of a paper liner in the U.K. that can be widely recycled. The pilot is happening in partnership with Tesco in a small number of stores, having started in January 2022, with the results helping to shape Kellogg’s future packaging plans. Even though the company’s cereal boxes’ outer recycled paperboard packaging is fully recyclable, and has been for many years, the plastic inner liner in cereal boxes is not currently widely accepted in curb recycling. “We know people want to do more to help the planet and that’s why we are working hard towards meeting our commitment of all Kellogg’s packaging being reusable, recyclable, or compostable by the end of 2025,” says Chris Silcock, Kellogg UK and Ireland Managing Director. “This important trial of fully paper cereal packaging ensures we have explored all our options. Ultimately, we would prefer plastic liners to be accepted in home recycling as our data tells us that they are better for the planet over the full life cycle of the packaging, but this trial ensures we have an alternative.” Kellogg’s packaging technologists worked to create paper-based inner packaging for its cereal that can survive the process of filling and sealing millions of bags in boxes of cereal produced in its factory and transporting them to retailers. It’s also important the cereal is kept fresh inside a paper liner as cereal has a 12-month shelf life. This project is part of Kellogg’s Wellbeing Manifesto, launched in May of 2021. The action plan is a decade-long commitment from the com-
pany to improve its food and packaging so that it’s better for people, the planet, and the community. The company says the results of this trial are crucial as it plans for fully recyclable cereal packaging, whether that’s plastic liners being recyclable at curbside, similar to countries like Ireland and Belgium, or the roll out of cereal packaging that is fully paper based. “We are committed to working with our suppliers to remove, reduce, reuse, and recycle packaging, particularly plastic. It’s great to see that Kellogg is trialling a paper cereal bag in our stores—our customers will be pleased that they can easily recycle the bag at home. We call on suppliers to test and roll out actions like this; using as little material as possible and making sure that necessary packaging is easy to recycle,” says David Beardmore, Grocery Director, Tesco. Kellogg and Tesco have been working closely on several initiatives to improve the recyclability of their packaging and previously trialled a fully recyclable Pringle’s paper can in 2020. —Matt Reynolds
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The Future Leaders in Packaging Scholarship from Packaging World and the PMMI Foundation was established in 2011 in conjunction with Leaders in Packaging—a print and online marketing program that enables suppliers to promote their innovations and IN PACKAGING expertise to the packaging community. A portion of Leaders in Packaging revenue SC H O L A R S HIP funds the $5000 Scholarship—awarded each year to an educational institution that prepares students for careers in packaging. Each recipient institution then selects a student or students to receive the funds to defray tuition and other education-related expenses in the next academic year. The 2022 scholarship has been awarded to Alexandria Technical & Community College, a member of Minnesota State, specifically the Center for Applied Mechatronics. “Located in the epicenter of packaging machine manufacturing, the Mechatronics program here at Alexandria Tech College has graduated nearly 600 students over the past 20 years,” says Todd Zarbok, Instructor, Mechatronics, Alexandria Tech. “They are now employed as field service technicians, machine assemblers, electrical controls specialists, and CAD designer. This program ’S
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Alexandria Tech Students Earn PMMI, PMG Packaging Scholarship
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has become a critical resource for growth and innovation for our local industries. The PMMI Educational membership has given this program access to numerous resources to grow our program and advance the skill sets of our graduates.” The scholarship money will be awarded in the form of an impact scholarship, in fact two $2500 scholarships that each represent the approximate cost of one semester tuition. The scholarship money will be awarded on a needs-basis to first year students currently enrolled in the Mechatronics program. The mechatronics curriculum at Alexandria Tech is defined and traceable to international standards, which include hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, mechanical, PLC, and CAD design, with emphasis placed on installation and troubleshooting skills representing the critical knowledge needed for success in the workplace. —Matt Reynolds
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