DS Smith and Coca-Cola HBC Austria have collaborated to replace plastic handles for 1.5 litre PET soft drink multi-packs with cardboard-based outer packaging.
This new plastic replacement solution, DS Smith Lift Up, will be delivered to supermarkets in Austria in September 2023. Sustainable packaging company DS Smith says the new corrugated handle is “100% recyclable” and designed to help reduce around 200 tonnes of plastic each year for Coca-Cola HBC Austria.
The new packaging solution for 1.5 litre PET multi-packs will be used for Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, and Mezzo mix brands in Austria.
DS Smith Lift Up was designed using its Circular Design Metrics approach which resulted in a “significant reduction” in carbon footprint for the packaging and manufacturing line of products, DS Smith says. The new handle is designed for PET bottles for consumption at home.
The new design can be applied to different bottle sizes and is manufactured in partnership with packaging machine manufacturer Krones.
The DS Smith Lift Up concept was designed using DS Smith’s Circular Design Metrics approach.
Stefano Rossi, CEO Packaging Solutions Division at DS Smith, commented: “The DS Smith Lift Up concept was designed using DS Smith’s Circular Design Metrics approach, so it uses the least amount of material possible, reduces impact on the environment and looks fantastic in stores and supermarkets.
“Collaboration with our partners Coca-Cola HBC and Krones is key to reducing single-use plastics and delivering innovative change at scale. We hold sustainable design at the heart of what we do as a company, and this is a shining example of the opportunity for innovation in packaging to lead the way to a more sustainable future for manufacturers, retailers, and consumers.”
