Capri-Sun calls for the return of plastic straws… in the name of ecology!

By collecting one million signatures, Capri-Sun hopes to obtain an exemption from the European Union to circumvent the ban on plastic straws. However, this initiative is criticized for its potential impact on plastic pollution and the oceans.

Cardboard straws are less practical and must be sorted separately

Capri-Sun, a brand known for its kid-friendly juice pouches, has launched a petition calling on the European Commission to re-authorise plastic straws in its packaging. The company argues that bringing back the straws would make recycling easier, as consumers could throw the entire packaging into the same bin, simplifying the sorting process.

Since the European Union banned plastic straws in 2021, Capri-Sun has replaced its straws with recyclable cardboard versions. However, the brand claims that these cardboard straws are less functional, difficult to use (as a cardboard straw cannot pierce the lid), and require the packaging and straw to be separated for recycling, which is inconvenient for consumers. Capri-Sun claims that its new container is a polypropylene (PP) pouch, which is more easily recyclable than its previous containers, which were made of multiple materials.

Capri-Sun petition, a whim according to UFC-Que Choisir

To date, 140,400 people have signed the Capri-Sun petition. If this petition ever reaches a million signatories, the European Commission will be forced to address the issue. Given the low number of signatures on this petition (posted online on 28 August 2024), we can imagine that this lobbying campaign is unlikely to succeed. But it will undoubtedly have been beneficial for Capri-Sun because it will at least have raised awareness of its new, more environmentally friendly polypropylene pouch.

This approach by Capri-Sun has sparked strong reactions from associations. UFC-Que Choisir describes this initiative as a “whim” and deplores the brand’s lack of consideration for current environmental issues. The brand could have introduced reusable straws, for example. Indeed, plastic straws are among the main types of waste found on beaches and in the oceans, contributing to marine pollution and the disappearance of aquatic fauna.

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