WhiteWave removes PVDC from single creamer cups; keeps shelf life

WhiteWave removes PVDC from single creamer cups; keeps shelf life

Creamer singles provide consumers with a convenient, single portion of shelf-stable creamer for their coffee and are found nationwide at the coffee bars of convenience stores, cafeterias, quick serve restaurants and also in retail packs at grocery locations, warehouse clubs and online.

The first stage of the package redesign involves re-structuring the layers of plastic to allow the removal of material currently used in the creamer singles cups, called polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC). This material has traditionally been used due to its ability to keep product fresh for a long period of time.

However, the potential long-term environmental impacts of PVDC have led some countries to restrict or even ban its use in packaging. While not banned in the U.S., WhiteWave is pursuing removing PVDC from its packaging in its ongoing efforts to make more sustainable choices.

Until recently, there have been limited, viable substitutes for PVDC that could withstand the rigors of processing and maintain the necessary protective properties without adding bulk to the package. But by working closely with its vendors to innovate and test alternate packaging, WhiteWave's Research and Development (R&D) group was able to develop a more earth-friendly packaging solution without impacting the product's customer-guaranteed shelf life.

Luana Hancock, spokesperson for WhiteWave Foods, tells PD that the new packaging structure is proprietary.

WhiteWave is one of the largest producers of creamer singles in North America, primarily through its International Delight and LAND O LAKES brands. By removing PVDC, the creamer singles will use less overall material in the cup structure, which will result in:

—the elimination of 1.1 million pounds of material from landfills every year;
—more efficient shipping, as less material requires fewer truckloads and fuel; specifically, 33 fewer trucks of waste material and 49 fewer trucks between our suppliers and facilities.

WhiteWave's R&D team is currently working on the next stage of this project, which is focused on studying the ability to reclaim and reuse post-industrial scrap from the manufacturing process to make additional creamer singles packages, which would help lighten the package's environmental footprint even more when complete. 

"As far as the next step of the project (using the post-industrial recycled material for the cups), we expect to start production with the change in 2011. The process by which we'll be able to do this is also proprietary," Hancock says.

The International Delight brand in particular is not new to sustainable packaging initiatives. In 2009, the brand introduced a new International Delight bottle that reduced the bottle's carbon footprint by 30 percent by increasing transportation efficiency and integrating materials that require less energy and water to produce.

"We're always looking for ways to get us closer to our mission to become the Earth's favorite food company, and packaging is a key area in which we can continue to make progress," says Mike Keown, president of Creamers. "However, a common challenge in creating more sustainable packaging is ensuring that its functionality is not compromised. With this creamer single redesign, our Research and Development team found a way to reduce our environmental footprint while maintaining the shelf life, quality and taste that our customers and consumers have come to expect, which is a win for everyone."

*The Land O Lakes brand is owned by Land O'Lakes Inc. and is used by license.

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