Lightweight Plastic Buckets: How Alföldi Tej Packages Sour Cream Sustainably

How can a simple plastic buckets help reduce emissions, support sustainability, and enhance shelf appeal — all at once? Hungarian dairy brand Alföldi Tej has found the answer. In partnership with Greiner Packaging, the company recently transitioned its sour cream packaging to the innovative lightweight bucket from Greiner. This shift not only cuts down on plastic use and CO₂ emissions, but also improves handling and branding

Greiner Packaging’s innovative lightweight bucket is made to minimize plastic use — resulting in up to 28% less material compared to traditional pails. This reduction significantly cuts production-related emissions and simplifies end-of-life recycling. Additionally, the bucket’s lighter weight translates into lower transport emissions, further decreasing its overall carbon footprint. Notably, the design intentionally omits a handle to reduce plastic usage even more, enhancing its environmental benefits.

Beyond sustainability, the visual impact of packaging plays a key role in consumer appeal. This pail features advanced in-mold labeling (IML) technology, integrating high-quality graphics directly into the plastic surface. The result is a sleek, modern appearance that elevates brand presence on store shelves — no extra labels required. Plus, the label and bucket are made of the same material, resulting in a mono-material solution and therefore enhancing recyclability.

With a strong regional presence and a clear focus on sustainability, Alföldi Tej is one of Hungary’s leading dairy producers. In addition to sour cream, Alföldi Tej uses injection-molded tubs and matching lids from Greiner for other dairy products like butter spreads. This product mix demonstrates a flexible packaging portfolio that meets diverse production needs while maintaining consistent quality.

The partnership reflects more than just a supplier–customer dynamic; it illustrates a shared value system centered on environmental awareness and operational efficiency.