Collaboration is helping Tirlán meet our goal of complying with the Single Use Plastic Directive

In an effort to combat pollution from single-use plastics, Europe’s Single Use Plastic Directive has mandated a significant change in beverage packaging – all containers up to 3 litres must have caps tethered to the main body. This initiative, aimed at reducing environmental dispersal and enhancing recyclability, has significant implications for the dairy industry, particularly for milk and value-added milk products.

Tirlán has proactively embarked on a cross-functional project to comply with this directive by the required deadline of the 3rd of July 2024. The project, initiated in February 2022, has been a journey of innovation and adaptation, with the first production for tethered caps introduced in August 2023 for Tetra top cartons containing Avonmore Protein Milk, Mooju and Avonmore Cream. Subsequent transitions occurred in April and May 2024 for various carton sizes and finally, milk jugs in June 2024.

The transition has not been without its challenges, particularly in managing the complexities of milk jug cap designs which require dedicated neck finishes from multiple suppliers. However, the project has also brought about significant environmental benefits, with an estimated annual reduction of 22.8 tonnes of plastic from caps alone.

The success of this initiative can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of the project team and production sites, who have faced challenges head-on, valuing diverse opinions and quickly adapting to produce solutions.

As Tirlán moves forward, the focus is on consumer education, with messaging on packaging that emphasizes the new caps’ functionality and the rationale behind the change. The messaging strategy is clear: twist, flip to lock, and close to recycle – a simple yet powerful reminder of the individual’s role in supporting a circular economy.

This shift towards tethered caps is a testament to Tirlán’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, supporting reduction of plastic, the capturing of the cap for recycling, all while minimising the cost impact to Tirlán.

The tethered cap project led by Joanne Dooley has been a remarkable display of teamwork and adaptability. The project and production site teams, including Eamon McGuigan, Paddy Cotter and 14 others, have demonstrated exceptional collaboration, quickly adapting and implementing solutions to meet the challenges head-on. Their efforts in trialling and testing contingencies have been instrumental in the project’s success.

Throughout the course of the project the teams have shown respect for diverse opinions, quickly adapted to new situations and actively engaged in trials to devise effective solutions. The combined efforts of the Site Teams in Drogheda and Ballitore have been instrumental in this success. Furthermore, the Core Project team’s contributions have been pivotal in ensuring the project’s completion across all SKUs before the 3rd July Single-Use Plastics (SUP) deadline. This collaborative success story is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all involved.

A special shout out to:

• Site Team in Drogheda – Eamon McGuigan, Frank McDonnell, Seán Murphy, Peter McGuinness, Catherine Kiernan, Helen Kearney, Hugh King, Site Operations and Supply Chain.
• Site Team in Ballitore – Paddy Cotter, Aidan Rowan, Brian Aherne, Bernie Shanahan, Ella Kennedy, Tom Walsh, David Cullen, Site Operations and Supply chain.
• Close stock management via Michael Floyd and Angad Nain.
• Core Project team for their contributions and support to complete project implementation across all SKUs in advance of the 3rd July SUP deadline – Kieran Fitzgerald, Denis Walsh, Pat Redmond, Joanne Dooley, Sarah Purcell, Linda Sheehan, Heather Sheridan, Ger Cadogan/John O’Reilly/Diane Connell.