Coveris Showcases Recycle-Ready Cheese Packaging at International Expo
Coveris highlighted its range of recycle-ready cheese packaging at the International Cheese & Dairy Awards and EXPO, held at the Staffordshire County Showground on June 24th and 25th. The event is considered a key platform for innovation in the cheese and dairy sector, particularly as regulatory changes in the UK and Europe push for more sustainable packaging solutions.
In response to these regulations, Coveris has developed packaging that is recyclable and compliant with upcoming laws. These innovations focus on monomaterial and polyolefin structures, designed to maintain the performance and efficiency of traditional packaging while meeting new sustainability standards.
The UK is moving towards mandatory kerbside collections for plastic films and bags by March 2027 under its Simpler Recycling initiative. Coveris' recycle-ready packaging formats are prepared for this transition and are also aligned with the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) framework, which aims to improve recyclability and reduce packaging impact. Furthermore, the European Union's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) requires all packaging to be recyclable by 2030, a target that Coveris' solutions are designed to meet.
Among the specific products showcased was the MonoFlexBE pouch for grated cheese, which uses a polyethylene-based laminate structure. These pouches are already in use by several UK retailers and are recyclable through existing front-of-store collection schemes, with future readiness for kerbside collection. They provide up to 120 days of shelf-life protection while reducing plastic use and carbon emissions.
Additionally, Coveris introduced its PolyFlex film for block cheese, a recycle-ready alternative to traditional nylon/PE laminates. This solution offers strong barrier performance and environmental benefits through reduced material weight and carbon footprint. For sliced cheese, Coveris offers the MonoFlexBE lidding film, which is compatible with various base web trays and facilitates a transition to more sustainable packaging options.
Alexandra Burgess, Coveris’ UK Technical Applications Manager for Meat, Fish, Poultry & Dairy, stated the company's proactive approach to legislative changes, emphasizing their focus on recyclable, future-ready packaging that balances sustainability with required performance and protection. Attendees were invited to explore how Coveris' solutions could support their transition to compliant packaging while meeting supply chain demands.
