Designed for eating dairy and snack products away from home, the companies said the spoon fits with both the convenience and sustainability trends. Consumers want food solutions that are easy to prepare and can also be enjoyed on the go – and they also want the food’s packaging and cutlery to be as user and eco-friendly as possible. Cutlery made of renewable resources such as cardboard is 100% recyclable in the paper recycling loop.
Folded once, the cardboard spoon, which the company said is made in a shape that resembles a bank card, has a length of 10cm. The cardboard spoon is made from virgin fibers and is approved for contact with food, while a water-based coating on the cardboard ensures the spoon can be safely used while eating.
Custom printing on the spoons is available, with a minimum order quantity, using food-safe inks and coatings that meet the standard for food products.
Once used, the folding cardboard spoon can be disposed of with other waste paper. Combining it with a top cup made of r-PET and polypropylene (PP) sealing film that can be fully removed from the lid results in a sustainable packaging solution. To access the spoon, the PP film is automatically separated from the lid. This ensures the individual packaging components are 100% recyclable when correctly disposed of.
“We are delighted that more and more partners and customers want to work on sustainable packaging solutions with us. Developing recyclable packaging solutions not only makes sense for the environment but also offers commercial advantages. We are proud to play our part in advancing a circular economy with developments such as the cardboard spoon,” said Konrad Wasserbauer, circular economy director at Greiner Packaging.
Florian Scharl, managing director at Cardbox Packaging, added, “We were able to pool our expertise as we worked to develop the cardboard spoon, achieving a result that meets consumers’ expectations as well as doing something positive for our environment.”