Capri-Sun, the well-known beverage pouch manufacturers, are reportedly exploring alternatives to their current issue with paper straws. A representative from the company, based in Eppelheim near Heidelberg, stated, "It's too soon to discuss a plastic straw comeback in Switzerland." Capri-Sun CEO Roland Weening shared with Switzerland's "Sonntagszeitung" that the company is working on reintroducing plastic straws in Switzerland and neighboring nations.
Consumers have expressed frustration with the current paper straws, finding them difficult to handle, easily softening, and imparting a papery flavor to the beverage. The switch to paper straws was due to an EU ban on single-use plastic straws that took effect in 2021.
Weening's Plans and Petition
Weening informed the newspaper, "We're aiming to use a recyclable plastic tube once more, at least in Switzerland, where the ban doesn't apply unlike in the EU." He plans to do the same in neighboring countries and is pushing the EU Commission to grant Capri-Sun an exemption. "The plastic tube ban is beneficial, but it doesn't make sense in our situation." The company is headquartered in Zug, Switzerland.
At present, the company representative mentioned they're considering a scenario where consumers can dispose of both the beverage pouch and straw, both made from polypropylene, into recyclable plastic waste. Weening explained that polypropylene is a kind of plastic. Currently, the conventional 200-milliliter drink pouch also contains aluminum. The next step involves manufacturing the drink pouch entirely from polypropylene.
Alternative Materials on the Table
Capri-Sun's investigation into alternatives for their problematic paper straws is driven by environmental concerns, as consumers have criticized the paper straws for their performance issues. Capri-Sun has considered various options, such as hemp straws, bamboo straws, and even metal straws. These alternatives offer renewable, biodegradable materials that can emulate the feel and flexibility of plastic straws.
Despite Weening's plans to reintroduce plastic straws in Switzerland and nearby nations, there currently is no plastic straw ban in Switzerland for Capri-Sun, as the company is pressing for an exemption from the EU Commission.
