Asahi UK

Introduction of TopClip midcone for multipack cans

Replacement of plastic packaging with a fully renewable, recyclable, biodegradable cardboard alternative

Grolsch has launched the Grolsch TopClip in the UK, a 100% renewable, recyclable and biodegradable alternative to plastic shrink or midcones for can multipacks developed by Smurfit Kappa.

An independent Life Cycle Analysis showed that replacing the current plastic can carriers with TopClip packaging would lead to carbon savings of a huge 36% compared to new plastic and 16% to recycled plastic carriers. TopClip packaging is also 100% recyclable and FSC-certified.

Grolsch TopClip 4-packs are now being rolled out, beginning with more than 1,000 Tesco, Asda and Morrison’s stores. The new packs have removed more than 500kg of plastic from the shelf in just their first couple of months.

The introduction of TopClip packaging marks a major step forward in eliminating disposable plastic and maximising circular packaging. This helps Asahi to meet consumer demands for better alternatives to plastic packaging, as well as our own sustainability targets. By 2030, we will use only containers and packaging that is reusable or fully recyclable, and made chiefly from recycled content.

Removal of plastic packaging from consumer deliveries

At the beginning of 2021, the Asahi UK brewery shop teams began a project to remove all plastic packaging from regular, direct-to-consumer deliveries. As well as sourcing innovative, alternative pack types the Dark Star brewery also installed a new shredder to allow them to reuse waste cardboard for packaging.

All bubble-wrap and plastic void-fill has now been replaced with cardboard nests, crushed recycled paper, shredded repurposed cardboard and other paper-based packaging materials. Even the plastic tape used to seal delivery boxes has been replaced with paper tape. This is doubly important as it won’t contaminate recycling with plastic, making it far easier for recipients to recycle.

This project removed plastics associated with packaging materials of over 15,000 deliveries in the first half of the 2021 alone, from the Fullers, Meantime and Dark Star breweries as well as from the Beerpronto website.