Pringles has launched a new eco-friendly paper tube, designed to simplify the recycling process for consumers. The paper tubes, now exclusively available at Tesco stores and online, replace the familiar steel-based Pringles can introduced in the 1960s.
Crafted from recycled paper with a paper base, the new packaging allows customers to dispose of it directly in their household recycling bin. Accompanied by a recyclable plastic lid, the eco-friendly packaging has undergone extensive testing by the company’s packaging experts to ensure it maintains the freshness of the iconic saddle-shaped chips for 15 months, aligning with the performance of the old steel can.
The recyclable Pringles paper tube is set to debut exclusively in Tesco stores and online this week, with plans to expand to other supermarkets later in 2024. Additionally, the tubes will be available at One Stop stores, part of the Tesco Group. A projected 48 million recyclable Pringles tubes are expected to be sold at Tesco within the first year.
This significant shift, backed by an £86 million investment in new technology, follows previous trials of a steel can in Italy in 2019 and a paper tube in the UK in 2020.
Chris Silcock, UK Managing Director of Kellanova, the company that owns Pringles, emphasized the commitment to improving packaging recyclability: “We’ve worked hard to develop and test a recyclable Pringles paper tube, and we made a significant investment in new technology to enable our factories to produce it.”
Seàn Cairns, President of Global Rigid Paper and Closures (RPC) at Sonoco, collaborated with Pringles technical teams in creating the new recyclable tube. Cairns noted the increasing consumer awareness of environmental impact and sustainable packaging options, stressing the importance for businesses to explore innovative packaging technologies and materials.
Paul Sanderson, CEO of the Recycling Association, praised the achievement, stating, “It is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when manufacturers decide they want to create packaging that is easy for the consumer to recycle.”
Claire Lorains, Tesco’s Group Sustainability and Quality Director, expressed excitement about providing customers with a beloved product in a more sustainable manner. She encouraged other suppliers to follow suit, emphasizing the positive impact on both consumers and the planet.
This introduction of the recyclable Pringles tube, comprising 90% paper, marks a significant step towards Kellanova’s commitment to making all its packaging recyclable, reusable, and compostable by 2025.