Pringles Breaks Ground with £86 Million Investment in Eco-Friendly Paper Tube Revolution

Iconic snack brand Pringles has revolutionized its packaging, addressing its recycling challenges with a pioneering move to a 90% paper-based solution. Following successful trials in Italy and the UK, the £86 million investment in new technology has birthed a recyclable Pringles paper tube, set to debut exclusively in Tesco stores and online.

The original Pringles can, introduced in the 1960s with a steel base, had posed a recycling dilemma. The newly designed paper tube, made from recycled paper with a paper base, can be effortlessly placed in home recycling bins, featuring a recyclable plastic lid. This environmentally conscious initiative aligns with Kellanova’s commitment to sustainability, ensuring the protection of the iconic saddle-shaped chips and maintaining their freshness for 15 months, mirroring the old can’s capabilities.

Chris Silcock, UK Managing Director at Kellanova, emphasized their dedication to reducing environmental impact, stating, “Not only is it widely recyclable, but it keeps the chips fresh and tasty and protects them from breaking which helps to reduce food waste.”

The recyclable Pringles paper tube will debut exclusively at Tesco stores and online this week, with plans to expand to other supermarkets by the end of 2024. One Stop stores, part of the Tesco Group, will also feature the new packaging. An estimated 48 million recyclable Pringles tubes are anticipated to be sold in Tesco within the first year.

Seàn Cairns, President of Global Rigid Paper and Closures (RPC) at Sonoco, collaborated with Pringles technical teams to develop the innovative tube. Cairns highlighted the increasing consumer awareness of the environmental impact of purchasing behaviours, emphasizing the importance for businesses to explore sustainable packaging options.

Paul Sanderson, Chief Executive of the Recycling Association, praised Pringles’ achievement, stating, “It is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when manufacturers decide they want to create packaging that is easy for the consumer to recycle.”

Claire Lorains, Tesco’s Group Sustainability and Quality Director, expressed excitement about offering customers a beloved product in a more sustainable way. She encouraged other suppliers to follow Pringles’ lead, emphasizing the potential environmental benefits across various food packaging.

The launch of the recyclable Pringles paper tube signifies a significant step towards a circular economy, embodying the brand’s commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.