The Capri-Sun snack pouch

Delicious taste in an environmentally friendly pack


What’s the scoop?

With the majority of materials derived from renewable raw materials, Capri-Sun’s Fruit Snack pack is an industry first in environmentally friendly packaging. As a first significant step in our mission to achieve lasting environmental benefit through our manufacturing methods, we’ve designed our cap and spout for the new Fruit Snack pack from a new kind of polyethylene, derived up to 90%  from sugar cane. One small but important marker for the responsible use of energy and raw-material sources, and the reduction of CO2 emissions compared to conventionally manufactured polyethylene from petrochemicals.

Why make packaging from renewable raw materials?

Packaging has a major responsibility. It protects the content and must be lightweight and, of course, easy to handle. Manufacturing it consumes resources, too. That’s where we at Capri-Sun have decided to make our contribution. By increasing the amount of renewable raw materials, we have significantly lowered the quantity of the petrochemical polyethylene – a product of mineral oil. This limits our use of finite materials – and keeps our Capri-Sun snack packs as natural as possible. The empty snack pack goes right into the recycling bin!

A glimpse at future products

Our choice for renewable raw materials is one contribution towards responsible use of the world’s finite resources. As well as in packaging, there are many other ways Capri-Sun is reducing its carbon footprint. Our engineers are working their way through the entire production system to continually reduce material waste, energy and CO2 emissions:
• Optimising logistics, shipping and transport routes
• Continuously improving the production process
• Reducing material waste
• Selecting renewable raw materials

A new companion for you

Renewable raw materials in the packaging


Take a closer look!

We’ve begun at the top with the new ECO-friendly Capri-Sun Fruit Snack. Our spout and cap are made of 90% organically manufactured polyethylene (PE). The next step is clear. A continuous reduction in conventional PE materials in the manufacture of our Fruit Snack packaging.

The manufacturing process:

How are renewable raw materials integrated into Capri-Sun’s Fruit Snack packaging?


The renewable raw materials in our packaging are derived from sugar cane grown on environmentally friendly farms.

Each hectare of land yields approximately 82.5 tonnes of sugar cane. Not just once, but at every harvest.

Ethanol is derived from the sugar cane.

And 82.5 tonnes yield about 7,200 litres of ethanol.

From the ethanol, we get green polyethylene – completely without mineral oil.

From 7,200 litres of ethanol, we can make about three tonnes of green polyethylene.

The green polyethylene is processed into our packaging material.

Over 50% of our new packaging is made of green polyethylene derived from sugar cane crops.

Recycling

Green polyethylene is 100% recyclable.
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Questions and answers

Fourteen frequently asked questions


What’s special about using renewable raw materials for Capri-Sun’s Fruit Snack pouch?

The new snack pouch for Capri-Sun’s Fruit Snack is made from over 50% renewable raw materials derived from the sugar cane plant. In the first step of the production process, sugar cane is turned into plant-based polyethylene (PE), which is used to manufacture the pouch’s spout and cap.

When will it be available for further products?

The innovative snack pouch made of renewable raw materials is now an integral component of Capri-Sun’s Fruit Snack. Preparations to expand this new technology to other Capri-Sun products are underway.

What are the advantages of the new Capri-Sun packaging?

The utilisation of plant-based polyethylene (PE) allows us to manufacture our snack pouches without the use of conventional, mineral-oil-based polyethylene. This new manufacturing method reduces our reliance on finite mineral oil resources.

Why does the claim apply to only 50% of PE?

These values apply to the entire weight of the packaging. At present, we are manufacturing the spout and cap of the Capri-Sun snack packs with plant-based polyethylene materials. We are now preparing to extend the use of this environmentally valuable material to our foil packaging as well.

How do I know I’m buying a product made from plant-based PE material?

The front of the snack pack is specially labelled: ‘This package has been manufactured using more than 50% renewable raw materials.’

What else is Capri-Sun doing to promote environmentally friendly packaging?

Capri-Sun is working on many levels to optimise our production for the conservation of resources and the reduction of CO2 emissions. This includes the continuous optimisation of production processes, transportation and the use of raw materials. In truth, the production of our packaging has a high CO2 emission rate. Here we are especially concerned about reducing our carbon footprint!

IS THE Capri-Sun POUCH WITH ECO-PE  BIODEGRADEABLE?

No. The snack pack with plant-based polyethylene belongs in either the recycling or general collection bin.

Does that mean the Capri-Sun ECO-PE  pouch material is recyclable?

Yes. For the most part, this takes place through the thermal recovery of the materials and the addition of the aluminium parts in the production of cement. Die processing of the reusable elements is still in the start-up phase.

How do I dispose of the empty pouch?

The snack pouch is disposed of via your local recycling or waste removal system. It is NOT organic waste.

How is ECO-PE manufactured, and from which raw materials?

The Capri-Sun FRUIT SNACK pouch contains polyethylene derived from plant sources. Our ECO-polyethylene is made from sugar cane specially cultivated on plantations in Brazil and processed there.

WHICH AREAS ARE USED FOR THE CULTIVATION OF THIS SUGAR CANE? ARE THEY LOCATED IN AMAZONIA?

The renewable material for the snack pouch, derived from Brazilian sugar cane, is cultivated on specially established plantations – far away (about 2,000 kilometres or 1,200 miles) from the sensitive Amazonia region.

IS PACKAGING MADE OF ECO-PE BETTER THATN THAT MADE OF CONVENTIONAL POLYETHYLENE?

Plant-based PE has a better CO2 balance during manufacture than petrochemical polyethylene because no more CO2 is released than was previously absorbed by the plant itself. From a holistic point of view, one can’t really say ‘better’ packaging, because there are still many other factors influencing the final product, such as land use and transport.

IS Capri-Sun FRUIT SNACK IN THE ECO-PE POUCH MORE EXPENSIVE?

No. Higher costs to the company incurred by utilising plant-based polyethylene do not affect the end price of the product.

ARE THERE DIFFERENCES IN TASTE? OR IN THE SAFETY OF THE PRODUCT?

The snack pouch made of plant-based polyethylene is just as efficient as pouches produced from conventional materials. This of course applies to protecting both taste and product quality.

HOW CAN I HELP?

By choosing Capri-Sun FRUIT SNACK, you have chosen delicious taste in packing made from renewable resources. Packaging made from renewable resources is one contribution of many towards the conservation of our world’s finite resources. You as a consumer can influence the development of theses alternatives by with your purchases. Even after the pouch is empty, you contribute to this process by disposing of the packaging in recycling bins, to keep the recovery process going.

INTERESTING LINKS

Has Capri-Sun piqued your interest in the topic of renewable raw materials in modern packaging? Below you’ll find a number of interesting links.

Environmental Protection Agency Ireland

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Low density I'm green polyethylene (LDPE)

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Have you got more questions?

We’ll be happy to answer your questions regarding our new packaging, made of 50% renewable raw materials.
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