FrieslandCampina to introduce paper straws for its European products | Progresiv
Dutch dairy cooperative FrieslandCampina has decided to introduce paper straws for all of its European packaged products which require a straw. 
Over 100 million plastic straws will be replaced by a more sustainable paper variant by 2021, and the new straws will be introduced by all of FrieslandCampina’s European brands.
These include the Chocomel, Fristi, Campina and Optimel brands in the Netherlands; Cécémel, Joyvalle and Fristi in Belgium; Pöttyös in Hungary and Yazoo in the UK.
Outside of Europe, FrieslandCampina’s Dutch Lady brand in Hong Kong will also start using paper straws.
Figures provided by the company state that 142 million straws plastic will have been replaced by 2021, the equivalent of 23,000 kilometres and 57,000 kilos of plastic straws.
Last year, the dairy cooperative announced that it would make 100% of its packaging recyclable by 2025. A statement from the company states that the introduction of the straws by 2021 puts it ahead of the EU ban on disposable plastic straws, and builds upon last year’s release of recyclable cheese packaging, which achieved a plastic reduction of 30% for its highest-selling cheese packaging in Europe.
Patrick van Baal, global director, packaging development at FrieslandCampina, said: “It is not easy to develop a strong paper straw that is flexible and hygienic and that does not get soft too quickly while drinking. Besides, the straw must be degradable in case it accidentally ends up in the environment.
“After a lot of testing, we have succeeded in developing a straw that meets all these requirements.” (www.foodbev.com)
