McLaren Packaging Rolls Out Recyclable Tubes

McLaren Packaging is pleased to announce that it has developed an innovative range of easily recyclable presentation tubes for spirits.

Presentation tubes are synonymous with Whisk(e)y and sought after by brand owners where the range of shapes, in particular curved surfaces, allow more unique and creative design opportunities while embellishments are enhanced by the curves. McLaren Packaging’s latest innovations now allow for simpler and easier recycling of the metal and card components, two of the most widely recycled materials globally.

With the design and development stages now complete, several well-known brands have adopted the innovative packaging.

Sales and Marketing Director, Michael McLaren said,

“We have improved the pack recyclability by developing a range of eco-friendly solutions for tubes of all shapes and sizes. For our shaped tubes, including square and truncated oval, we’ve introduced a vertical perforation, positioned discreetly on the side of the pack, allowing the paper body and metal base to be easily separated and recycled. We have a patent pending for this novel solution which ensures that the tube can be handled responsibly at end of life and have received approval from On Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) in the UK.

For the traditional round tube with a metal base, our eco-design utilises a clever horizontal perforation at the rear of the tube, enabling consumers to effortlessly remove the metal base for recycling.

We have also developed a mono material tube with a paper base which can be disposed of without the need for separation. This tube contains no metal at all, so that the tube body can easily be placed in the paper recycling bin. Both tubes use a high percentage of recycled content giving end of life paper fibres, which would have otherwise been wasted, additional life.’’

Whisky packaging is used to promote and safely transport premium and luxury products to over 200 markets globally and is also valued by consumers buying spirits as a gift or investment.

By offering mono-material tubes or including a discreet line of perforations on the pack to separate the body from the base, McLaren Packaging has made it easy for disposal in domestic recycling bins. At the same time, the strength, structure and security of the packaging retains the same high standards that both brands and consumers have come to expect.

Michael McLaren added,

“The tube format is utilised by some of the leading brands in the Single Malt Whisk(e)y category with examples including Bushmills Single Malt Irish Whiskey. It is our role as manufacturers to ensure that the format allows our customers to offer the highest quality of presentation for their brands with the least environmental impact possible.”

McLaren Packaging will be participating in London Packaging Week on the 11th and 12th September, where they will be exhibiting their innovative range of recyclable tubes.

Each year, 12.5 million tonnes of paper and cardboard is used in the UK, nearly a third of which is not currently recycled.