Macphie case study: Packaging
24 February 2021
Macphie is reducing the amount of plastic used to package one of its core ranges by moving to primarily plant-based packaging. Working in partnership with Tetra Pak, the food manufacturer is packing its read-to-use dessert and sauce ranges into cartons made up of over 80% less plastic than the standard carton.
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Sustainability is built into the processes and practices of Macphie. Having become a certified BCorp in 2015, it’s joined a community of like-minded companies which aim to use their influence as a force for good.
From how it takes care of its people to minimising its impact on the places around it, Macphie is committed to doing the right thing.
Since installing two wind turbines on site in 2014, Macphie has been powering its factories with renewable energy, also becoming the first food manufacturer in the UK to use its on-site biomass boiler to produce steam used in its ultra high temperature production processes.
More recently, Macphie is turning its attention to the impact of the product it produces, focusing on packaging.
In 2019, the business cut out around 3.2 tonnes of plastic waste by remove the full plastic sleeve used to wrap its o.t.t® range of dessert toppings, and replacing with single stickers. It also switched from black plastic caps, to white to improve the recyclability of these parts when being processed by recycling centres.
This year, Macphie is further reducing the amount of plastic used within its suite of packaging by teaming with world leaders in food processing and packaging Tetra Pak and switching to plant-based packaging which contains 2.2 times less fossil plastic than the standard equivalent.
“Working with our suppliers closely, we’re identifying ways to make positive change and are proud to be rolling out our range of ready-to-use desserts and sauces into plant-based packaging, further reducing the amount of fossil plastic in our processes.”
Chairman, Macphie