Mountain Blue and Opal partner on plastic-free packaging trial

Mountain Blue has announced a plastic free packaging trial for its Eureka blueberry brand in collaboration with Opal, and supermarket retailer Coles Group.

As part of Mountain Blue’s ongoing commitment to sustainable practices, this initiative has introduced kerbside recyclable and FSC-certified cardboard punnets for blueberries across 34 Coles stores located in northern New South Wales over a two-month period.

The punnets, which are an alternative to plastic containers, feature a unique transparent film produced from wood pulp, allowing customers to easily view the blueberries.

By using FSC-certified materials, the packaging further reinforces a commitment to sustainability, ensuring the materials come from responsibly managed forests. 

The kerbside recyclable punnets, developed in collaboration with Opal, aim to provide a plastic-free alternative without compromising on quality and freshness.

The punnets are made from recycled paper manufactured by Opal in Australia and feature the robustness needed to protect fresh produce through supply chains and freight. 

“We’re excited to trial kerbside recyclable cardboard punnets with Opal. This innovation offers consumers sustainable packaging choices in Coles supermarkets,” said Andrew Bell, managing director of Mountain Blue.

Chris Daly, executive general manager of Opal Packaging, said Opal had invested in research and development to test and commercialise products made from recycled and recyclable paper and cardboard.

“By partnering with Mountain Blue, we were able to understand their packaging needs and work together with our automation and machinery team, to deliver a punnet solution that is innovative, functional and sustainable,” said Daly.

Brooke Donnelly, Coles general manager of sustainability, said the supermarket was continuously looking for ways to innovate and redesign its packaging, and this trial provided customers with a packaging alternative for a product they love to eat.

“Fresh produce packaging is ripe for innovation, and we’re excited to provide our customers with a plastic free alternative for much-loved and in season blueberries,” said Donnelly.

“This trial is about ensuring the new cardboard punnets keep blueberries as fresh and tasty as the conventional plastic packaging, and to see how our customers respond to the change.”