October 20, 2020

 

HKScan to make all packaging recyclable and reduce millions of kilos of plastic

 

 

HKScan will work towards getting all its packaging becoming recyclable by the end of 2025.

 

At the same time, the food company will reduce the carbon footprint of packaging by 20% and decrease the amount of packaging plastic by 20% compared to 2019. In total, the use of plastic will be reduced by millions of kilos.

 

"Our ambitious goals mean that the packaging of many branded products familiar to consumers, such as HK, Kariniemen, Scan and Rakvere, will be renewed in the next few years. We are examining and experimenting new packaging materials, reducing the amount of packaging material and ensuring recyclability," said Jalliina Järvinen-Teräsvuori, HKScan's vice president of packaging development.

 

"Developing packaging responsibility is not always straightforward. For example, sometimes, a new packaging alternative may reduce the carbon footprint but, at the same time, make recycling more difficult. In addition to our goals, our work is driven by consumer expectations, country-specific and EU legislation, and companies' rising recycling and waste fees. Innovations and cooperation are needed to make packaging genuinely more responsible."

 

With environmentally friendly packaging, HKScan responds to consumers' need to make responsible grocery shopping choices.

 

The company considers many aspects in its packaging development. In addition to the key goals (i.e. recyclability and the reduction of plastic and carbon footprint), choices are influenced by other factors such as the shelf life of food, functioning and attractiveness of packaging, recyclability of material, and packaging and recycling costs.

 

HKScan has already reduced the amount of packaging plastic by about 1.5 million kilos from 2017 to 2019.

 

In September, HKScan launched its HK minced meat products in Finland in new bag packs that contain 71% less plastic than conventional box packages. As a result, the amount of packaging plastic is reduced by about 100,000 kilos per year.

 

Earlier this year, the amount of plastic in most of HK Mettwurst boxes was reduced by 20%. In 2019, HKScan reduced a total of 54% of plastic with the packaging of Kariniemen separately packed breast fillets compared to conventional box packaging.

 

In Sweden, the Scan brand's minced meat package was changed into a thin tube package this year. The new packaging reduced the amount of plastic and improved the shelf-life of the product.

 

In 2018, Mamma Scans meatballs received a completely new recyclable bag packaging.

 

In Denmark, HKScan packs some of its Rose broiler products into boxes made from recycled plastic. In the Baltics, the amount of plastic in several Rakvere and Tallegg product packages has been successfully reduced.

 

Last year, HKScan ended the use of non-recyclable black plastics in the packaging of its branded products in Finland and Sweden.

 

- HKScan