Norwegian dairy giant TINE has debuted a number of new packaging solutions aimed at reducing the company’s plastic consumption by more than 7,000 tonnes per annum. 

The new packaging innovations represent further sustainable steps by the firm – one of Norway’s largest users of packaging – towards achieving its goal of utilising only environmentally friendly and 100-per-cent renewable packaging by 2023.  

TINE is working to find an effective fibre-based solution to replace all plastic straws and spoons on more than 100 million products that it produces each year. The firm said it is currently testing paper straws in its production. 

“We are in the process of both test production and consumer tests, and hope that the Norwegian people can drink chocolate milk, Sunniva juice, iced tea and Sprett drinks from paper straws as early as next year,” said Bjørn Malm, Head of Sustainability at TINE. 

The goal is for TINE’s beverage products to be accompanied by paper straws, while its yoghurt and porridge products will follow with an environmentally friendly wooden spoon within the next year, assuming tests are successful. 

TINE has already launched a number of new sustainable packaging solutions for many of its products in Q3. The firm’s milk cartons are already 100-per-cent renewable, and to further reduce its footprint, TINE has launched its organic milk in a more environmentally sustainable carton. The renewable plastic cap has been replaced with the classic board ‘fold’ opening. Additionally, TINE has developed a new and improved version of the cardboard cups that was launched on one of TINE’s sour cream products last year. 

Mr Malm added that TINE was also in the process of changing the packaging on all sliced cheese so that it can be recycled and reused.