Itsu swaps to more sustainable instant noodle packaging

UK-based healthy-eating, Asian-inspired quick-service retail & grocery brand Itsu has swapped the packaging for its instant udon’noodles to a K3 packaging solution from Greiner Packaging UK and Ireland.

“We introduced our first instant noodles in 2018 and in October 2021, we swapped to the K3 cardboard-plastic packaging solution for our udon’noodle range to improve its sustainability,” says Katrina Burrows, Packaging Change Manager at Itsu Grocery.

“As a brand, we are always striving to improve product recyclability and sustainability. Our udon’noodles were previously packaged in a cardboard pot, which was double-laminated, and therefore non-recyclable. It also had a plastic lid, which was recyclable, but made from virgin plastic. Plastic packaging is negatively perceived by consumers, particularly if it is not made from recycled plastics. By moving to a widely recyclable foil lid, the negative connotations are removed, and it is clear to the consumer that it is easily recyclable.

“Our restaurant-inspired udon’noodles are now packed in the fully-recyclable K3 pack from Greiner Packaging.”

The K3 packaging solution features a lightweight PP plastic cup wrapped in a removable cardboard sleeve which features a patented tear-tab so that consumers can easily and intuitively separate the materials to enable recycling.