Essentra’s Kidlington site switches to 100% recyclable packaging

Essentra Components has completed the switch within its UK manufacturing and distribution centre in Kidlington to using paper-based packaging. The new packaging contains recycled content and is widely recyclable after use, supporting both its own and its customers’ ambitions for a more sustainable future.

This initiative supports Essentra’s goals of ensuring 100% of its packaging is reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030, and reaching 50% recycled content across its packaging materials by 2030.

Working closely with packaging suppliers, the Kidlington distribution team focused on replacing transport packaging with more sustainable options: plastic used to fill voids, for example, has been replaced by 100% recycled cardboard, created by converting waste cardboard on site; plastic mailers have been replaced with paper versions containing 20% recycled paper; and the tape used to seal boxes is now made from widely recyclable paper, and the adhesive biodegradable.

Jennifer Spence, head of sustainability strategy at Essentra, says this initiative is a great example of the Kidlington distribution team turning targets into results. Our aim has always been to reduce not only our own environmental footprint but also to support our customers in delivering their own sustainability targets.

“This latest announcement shows how incremental shifts, and making even relatively small changes, can have a significant impact on improving our collective sustainability.”