HiPP makes every effort to reduce packaging material to an absolute minimum and to protect resources. All new packaging must always be ecologically sounder than its predecessor. Only materials made from recycled cardboard or ecological virgin fibre are used for secondary packaging.
An analysis carried out by the Institute for Applied Ecology in Freiburg, Germany, showed that the disposable HiPP jar is the more eco-friendly solution compared to reusable systems. Reusable packaging is only advantageous – for example, in the beverage industry – when standardised glass jars are used. If this is possible, the transport routes can be kept short. For the time being, it is impossible to devise an ecologically beneficial system of reusable packaging that is limited to re-using food jars alone. Based on the test results, HiPP has expedited the ecological optimisation of the current system of disposable jars. The glass weight, for example, has been reduced by some 15 % over the past eight years.
The Institute for Applied Ecology in Freiburg was also commissioned by HiPP to analyse the ecological aspects of plastic and glass packaging because the HiPP range has also included cups since the beginning of 2010. The benefits of plastic from the consumer's point of view include low weight and resistance to breakage. With the introduction of plastic, the amount of glass packaging was reduced by 18% in 2010 compared to 2009. The production of HiPP cups, on the other hand, has increased above average because of the high demand.
HiPP uses FSC-certified packaging from virgin fibre for products that come into direct contact with food, e.g. tea bags, to prevent any contamination with residues such as mineral oil-based printing ink from recycled paper. Mineral oil-free printing ink is used for the majority of HiPP packaging. The ink for the premium folding box used for milk, for example, is vegetable ink.
