SIG launches recycle-ready bag-in-box packaging for water in Australia

SIG, a global leader in food and beverage packaging solutions, has introduced a recycle-ready bag for water, developed and manufactured in Australia. This innovation marks a significant sustainability milestone for the water industry. The current structure, which contains aluminum will be replaced by SIG Terra RecShield, a uniquely formulated material structure with a polymer composition. This means that all components of the bag-in-box packaging are now recycle-ready.

This development is in line with the Australian 2025 National Packaging Targets which aim to further advance sustainable packaging practices. Alongside the industry, SIG strives to lead the way towards a fully circular packaging system and is committed to offer recycle-ready solutions through design for recycling.

Carmen Houston, ANZ Head of Marketing & Sustainability at SIG: “SIG has been working closely with the Australian Packaging Covenant Organization (APCO) who oversees the implementation of the Australian 2025 National Packaging Targets. Our Australian-based research and development team have achieved a significant milestone in advancing packaging technology, with our bag-in-box packaging for water having been assessed through the Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Portal (PREP) as having met the criteria for recyclability in Australia.”

Developed and manufactured in Australia, SIG's new recycle-ready bag marks a significant sustainability milestone for the water industry. (Source: SIG)

SIG’s bag-in-box packaging is designed to be recycle-ready and reduces the overall plastics use compared to rigid alternatives such as PET water bottles. Bag-in-box is designed to fit any container size or shape, giving brands the flexibility to fill many volumes with a variety of fitments on the same filling machine.

Based on the European CEFLEX guidelines, SIG’s innovative recycle-ready bag-in-box packaging for water demonstrates SIG’s commitment to leading sustainability innovation, and accelerates the timeline to meet the Australian 2025 National Packaging Targets.

With a focus on continuous improvement, SIG's Australian Research & Development team is now turning its attention to further minimizing the carbon footprint of packaging. In the coming months, SIG will also introduce recycle-ready packaging alternatives for alcoholic beverages and food service applications.

The new recycle-ready packaging for water is now commercially available and consumers should begin to see it on supermarket shelves in mid to late September.