Thatchers prevents the use of 20 million plastic rings

By ditching plastic rings in favour of recyclable cardboard packaging for its best-selling can packs of Thatchers Gold, Haze, Rosé and Cloudy Lemon ciders, the family cider maker has prevented 20 million plastic rings from being used in 2020 alone.

And now, Thatchers Cider is able to strengthen its commitment to the environment even further with PEFC certification for the cardboard packaging that replaces the plastic rings. This certification means that Thatchers is able to guarantee all its consumer cardboard product packaging has been sourced sustainably.

Since the introduction of the duo-wing cardboard for its four-can packs in 2016, it now estimates over 100 tonnes of plastic has been saved during this time.

By using sustainable packaging, Thatchers Cider used 20 million fewer plastic rings for its can packs in 2020 / Picture: Thatchers

The PEFC mark also appears on Thatchers 10 can packs. FSC certified board is used for mail order boxes and retail bottle display trays.

Supply chain director for Thatchers, Gary Delafield, said: “Working with supplier Westrock to ensure our packaging is made with PEFC certified board is an important part of our sustainability commitment. We are always looking to actively do the right thing across our cider making and packaging, and the PEFC certification assures our retail customers and consumers that our cardboard is sourced sustainably throughout the supply chain.

“We recognise the critical role that forests play in the protection of the global environment in alleviating climate change. Indeed, as a cider maker reliant on trees to grow the apples we need to produce our ciders, we have over 500 acres of our own orchard in Somerset.

“Our retail customers trust us to lead the way in sustainable packaging, and our consumers have confidence in us that care of the world around us is part of who we are. We were one of the first British cider makers to replace plastic rings with recyclable cardboard packs, and now we are able to demonstrate full confidence throughout their supply chain with PEFC certification.”

PEFC is a global chain of custody certificate that tracks wood from sustainable sources, through the supply chain to final product. Over 320 million hectares of forest globally are PEFC certified.

In addition, Thatcher’s new lighter weight cans save 70 tonnes of aluminium each year and its glass bottles contain up to 77% recycled glass. Furthermore, its new warehouse in Somerset is home to solar panels that saved 75,000 kg of CO2 in 2020 – the equivalent of planting 3,500 trees. The energy is harnessed to power heating at the cider mill.