Marigold Health Foods, in collaboration with Sonoco, has announced the launch of its new, fully recyclable packaging for a variety of natural, plant-based food products. Marigold’s range includes nutritional yeast known as Engevita, bouillon, gravy, stock cubes, sauces, and plant-based meat and fish alternatives. Marigold emphasises use of high-quality ingredients free from artificial additives and palm oil, catering to health-conscious consumers who value sustainability and ethical production​. The fully recyclable packaging solution, created by Sonoco, exemplifies Marigold’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, setting a new standard in the market.

Sonoco’s EnviroCan, designed with a paper bottom, can be easily recycled by consumers. The user-friendly packaging ensures that after consumption; consumers can easily and fully recycle the packaging at their curbside. Whilst maintaining the original functionality to preserve and protect the food, the new packaging has the added benefit of improved recyclability.

The new packaging development, a process spanning two years, represents a significant advancement in recyclable packaging technology. The previous packaging, which featured a cardboard body with a metal base, presented recycling challenges. By investing in new machinery, Marigold has replaced the metal end with a paper-based alternative developed by Sonoco, resulting in a next-generation, all-paper body and base. This change not only enhances the packaging’s environmental footprint, it also meets the requirements for key UK and European packaging and recycling regulations.

Marigold’s new packaging, made primarily from paperboard with secondary materials such as an aluminium seal and a plastic LDPE lid, integrates innovative technology in material design and production. The EnviroCan Paper Bottom, part of the new design, ensures food safety and optimal shelf-life performance by providing an oxygen and moisture barrier. With more than a 20% reduction in packaging weight, Marigold has been able to drastically decrease its transport fuel consumption. The packaging solution also boasts a lower environmental footprint than other rigid packaging types, while being produced from sustainably sourced, recyclable materials.

Marigold’s transition to a paper base aligns with its commitment to environmental stewardship. The can-body is made from 95% paper, and primarily sourced from recycled materials (60% post-consumer recycled fibre). The new packaging supports the circular economy and can be recycled in the UK’s paper waste stream. The remaining 5% of the packaging consists of an inner liner, which is essential for protecting the product. The new packaging is now available in most UK supermarkets – and it includes the latest OPRL recycling logo to help UK consumers recycle their packaging correctly.

Peter Langsam, managing director at Marigold, comments, “We are thrilled to introduce this innovative, fully recyclable packaging solution in partnership with Sonoco. This development underscores our unwavering commitment to sustainability and our dedication to providing our customers with environmentally responsible packaging. By transitioning to this new packaging, we are taking a significant step towards reducing packaging material and lowering our carbon footprint, while continuing to deliver the high-quality products our customers expect.”

This partnership reflects their shared vision of promoting a sustainable future and ensuring that consumers can enjoy Marigold products with a clear conscience.

Marigold has been shortlisted for the Grocer Gold Awards in the Composite Packaging category on the launch of the fully recyclable EnviroCan with a paper-based design.