Coop Group and Swiss dairy products manufacturer Emmi have switched selected milk and cream products to new sustainable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles.  

The white PET bottles not only provide optimal product protection and taste consistency but are currently also the only type of plastic food packaging in Switzerland that can be recycled in a closed cycle. 

The transition to PET bottles is a significant move towards sustainability for the companies, intending to achieve a 25% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, as per a Carbotech study.  

This packaging innovation is now available for Coop's own-brand products and numerous Emmi-branded products, including Emmi's Energy Milk High Protein and Comella Choco Drink.  

By the end of February 2024, Coop's organic Naturaplan brand is also expected to offer various ultra-high-temperature milk products in these PET bottles.  

Emmi Swiss Division head Marc Heim said: "Dairy products in PET bottles are another innovative and recyclable packaging solution in line with our ambitious sustainability goals. By working with our partners and PET-Recycling Schweiz, we are able to collect materials across the country and reuse them as packaging for dairy products."

For Coop meanwhile, the switch to PET for its milk and dairy products is part of a broader initiative to introduce environmentally sound packaging for all own-brand products.  

Both PET and recycled PET play a crucial role in Coop’s strategy to reduce material requirements and establish closed cycles.  

Since 2012, Coop says it has successfully reduced or optimised 36,000 tons of packaging materials, contributing to resource conservation. 

Coop marketing and purchasing head Andrea Kramer said: “We look forward to extending our commitment to recyclable packaging to more of our own-brand and branded goods. In this way, we can stick to our path of sustainability as we pursue a circular strategy.”