Cardboard pack switch sees Sandford cider firm Thatchers use 20 million fewer plastic rings in 2020

By ditching plastic rings for its cardboard packs for Gold, Haze, Rosé and Cloudy Lemon ciders, Sandford family cider-maker Thatchers used 20 million fewer plastic rings in 2020 alone.

Now the cider-maker is able to strengthen its commitment to the environment even further with certification by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) for the cardboard packaging that replaces the plastic rings.

This certification means that Thatchers is able to guarantee all its consumer cardboard product packaging has been sourced sustainably.

The introduction of its duo-wing for its four-can packs back in 2016 was a large piece of the sustainability journey for Thatchers.

It now estimates more than 100 tonnes of plastic has been saved during this time thanks to the initiative.

The PEFC mark also appears on Thatchers ten can packs. FSC certified board is used for mail order boxes and retail bottle display trays.

Supply chain director for Thatchers, Gary Delafield, said: "Working with supplier Westrock to ensure our packaging is made with PEFC certified board is an important part of our sustainability commitment.

"We are always looking to actively do the right thing across our cider-making and packaging, and the PEFC certification assures our retail customers and consumers that our cardboard is sourced sustainably throughout the supply chain.

"We recognise the critical role that forests play in the protection of the global environment in alleviating climate change.

"Indeed, as a cider-maker reliant on trees to grow the apples we need to produce our ciders, we have more than 500 acres of our own orchard in Somerset.

"Our retail customers trust us to lead the way in sustainable packaging, and our consumers have confidence in us that care of the world around us is part of who we are.

"We were one of the first British cider-makers to replace plastic rings with recyclable cardboard packs, and now we are able to demonstrate full confidence throughout their supply chain with PEFC certification."

Thatchers has worked with its packaging supplier Westrock to secure the certification.

PEFC is a global chain of custody certificate that tracks wood from sustainable sources, through the supply chain to final product. More than 320 million hectares of forest globally are PEFC certified.

As a family business Thatchers says it is constantly thinking about what it can do to protect the environment and cut carbon.

New lighter weight cans save 70 tons of aluminium each year and its glass bottles contain up to 77 per cent recycled glass.

Furthermore, its new warehouse in Sandford is home to solar panels that saved some 75,000 kg of carbon dioxide in 2020 – that's the equivalent of planting 3,500 trees. The energy is harnessed to power heating at the cider mill.