O-I and Carlsberg launch sustainable packaging initiative

Owens-Illinois (O-I) has launched a packaging sustainability initiative with brewing company Carlsberg Group.

The Carlsberg Circular Community (CCC) will see Carlsberg and O-I - along with selected suppliers - collaborate to develop packaging solutions. CCC partners will use the Cradle to Cradle Design Framework to improve the quality of products so that they:

• have an improved consumer quality for the user,
• pose no health risk for anyone who comes into contact with them, and
• are of both economic and ecological benefit.

O-I will assess current glass packaging and will work closely with CCC partners to launch Carlsberg’s first Cradle to Cradle-certified glass packaging by 2016.

“Carlsberg and its suppliers are taking an important step on the roadmap towards creating new benefits with packaging,” said Professor Michael Braungart, who created the Cradle to Cradle Design Framework.

“This cooperation is a great example of companies planning together for the future, creating solutions to the global challenges that face us all. I encourage companies to join Carlsberg in its efforts to develop innovative packaging and rethink the concept of waste.”

The founding companies of the CCC are:

• Rexam: cans
• Arkema: glass bottle coatings
• O-I: glass packaging
• RKW: shrink wrap
• MeadWestvaco: paperboard multipacks
• Petainers: PET kegs for draught beer