Kabuto Noodles chooses 100 % recyclable packaging with a hidden eco-warrior
We talk to Kabuto Noodles founder Crispin Busk , to discover why the company is now using Greiner Packaging ’ s K3 ® cardboard-plastic pot – and how the pack ’ s unique features create a consumer communication opportunity with a feelgood factor .
“ Our old noodle pots were made from paper , like a coffee cup , but had a plastic liner ,” Crispin said . “ When we started using these ‘ paper ’ cups we thought they were fully recyclable through everyone ’ s normal household paper recycling . We were upset to discover a while later that this wasn ’ t the case . There are actually only two recycling centres in the whole of the UK that can separate the plastic liner from the paper , meaning most of the cups – as well as the cups from your local coffee shop – actually ended up in landfill .”
“ When we found this out , we were obviously disappointed and decided that we didn ’ t want to carry on using these ‘ paper ’ cups . So , we made the decision to move to a new type of packaging that is 100 % recyclable . Our new pots are now made with a foil lid , a removable card sleeve and plastic cup that can all be recycled in normal household recycling .”
Working with the Greiner Packaging team at their factory in Northern Ireland , Kabuto Noodles quickly adopted the K3 ® cardboard-plastic pot for its entire range .
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The K3 ® light-weight thermoformed tub is made from polypropylene ( PP ) and uses up to 33 % less material than a conventional direct-printed , thermoformed cup of the same size . It is wrapped with a cardboard outer layer , which can be produced with virgin or recycled board produced from sustainably managed forests , with full FSC ® ( Forest Stewardship Council ) chain of custody accreditation .
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY “ Being environmentally conscious is massively important to all of us at Kabuto Noodles ,” Crispin said . “ We ’ ve only got one planet , so we need to ensure we ’ re doing our part to look after it .”
“ A key element of our environmental sustainability strategy is delivered through our packaging . In 2019 we sold over 2.4 million pots to UK consumers and so using a pot that is 100 % recyclable is vital to ensuring we are acting as a responsible business . It also allows us to offer our consumers the environmentally conscious
choice they want when shopping within our category . For us , it doesn ’ t just stop with the outer packaging either , unlike some other instant noodle brands , our pots don ’ t have any extra sachets and unnecessary packaging to hold things like seasonings or sauces .”
HIDDEN ECO-WARRRIOR A unique feature of Greiner Packaging ’ s K3 ® is the outer wrapper , which when removed , reveals a ‘ hidden eco-warrior ’.
“ The K3 ® pot and cardboard wrap helps us to go a step further and actively start conversations around recycling in a fun , engaging way ,” Crispin said . “ If we can get more people to recycle our pots and do it with a smile , then it means we ’ re doing our job !”
“ Our ‘ hidden eco-warrior ’ has been a huge success in terms of consumer engagement . We ’ re regularly tagged in consumer posts across social media calling out how great of surprise this was to find , and thanking us for making them smile .”
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