From: Packaging News

Waitrose & Partners is making its egg boxes even more sustainable with the first egg carton label of its kind.

The new labels will move from 100% virgin paper to 100% post-consumer recycled fibre – saving 30 tonnes of paper every year.

The egg boxes use packaging made from ryegrass and recycled paper. Waitrose said it is the largest user of rye grass packaging for eggs.

The ryegrass packaging protects the eggs like a traditional egg box, but is produced using 60% less water and releases 10% less CO2 compared to a standard pulp egg box.

With the new label, the entire box supports a circular economy as it now uses recycled materials and is recyclable.

Tor Harris, Head of CSR, Health & Agriculture, Waitrose & Partners, said: “We often take the humble egg box for granted as it reliably keeps eggs intact until you’re ready to crack them open. The total packaging is now sourced from more sustainable materials to ensure that we minimise our impact on the environment.”

“This innovative form of packaging helps us move even closer towards our commitment of making our  own-label packaging widely recyclable, reusable or home compostable by 2023.’’

The first eggs to move into the new packaging from this week will be Waitrose Duchy Organic eggs. Other eggs will follow in the next few months.