SPOTLIGHT : PLASTIC-FREE BOTTLES

PHOTOGRAPH BY

BOTTLE PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY HP IN ; C COLLAGE ILLUSTRATION BY JESSICA LIN .

With the acquisition of Choose Packaging , HP helps consumer goods manufacturers make the switch from plastic bottles to 100 % recyclable packaging .

by sarah fones

OT LONG AGO , products labeled “ natural ” or “ eco-friendly ” enticed consumers looking to make more sustainable purchases . Today , those consumers are demanding more , much more . That might mean a smaller ingredient list , fully recyclable components , and less packaging waste , especially when it comes to cutting the plastic out . That ’ s why UK-based Choose Packaging , acquired by HP in February , is disrupting the market with fiber-based packaging for everyday products .

With single-use plastics and plastic bottles causing an intractable pollution problem , particularly in the world ’ s oceans , paper is emerging as a viable alternative : It ’ s more renewable , often biodegradable , and less apt to leach chemicals . The Choose zero-plastic paper bottle consists of three parts — an aluminum cap , a plant-based waterproof liner , and paper casing that can be made from recycled newspapers or virgin FSC-certified wood fiber — and the bottle is formed and shaped by HP ’ s 3D printing – enabled Molded Fiber Tooling Solution . And these plastic-free bottles aren ’ t made from fossil fuel – derived ingredients like those made of traditional PET plastic .

This technology ultimately allows Choose Packaging and HP to bring fiber-based products to market faster and more affordably for brands looking to make the switch from plastic to paper bottles . “ The one thing Choose lacked was scalability ,” says Choose founder and managing director James Longcroft . “ We had a great product but no way to manufacture it quickly , at large volumes , ensuring the quality of each bottle . That is where HP came in .”

Choose currently works with a number of companies , including industrial goods giant Henkel , maker of household products including Snuggle , Dial , and Purex . It ’ s among the growing number of brands that recognize consumers choose products not only for the quality or price , but for their global impact .

“ Consumers have not had a cost-effective and convenient replacement for plastic packaging ,” Longcroft says . “ This is why this innovation is so key .”