Why Old Chatham Creamery made the move from Direct Printed Cups to Greiner’s Premium K3® Cardboard-Plastic Packaging

For over three decades, Old Chatham Creamery has been producing high-quality yogurt from sheep milk. Known for its commitment to sustainable farming and exceptional product quality, the company recently took the next step in its brand evolution. By transitioning from direct printed cups to Greiner Packaging’s premium K3^® cardboard-plastic solution, Old Chatham Creamery has taken an important step closer to achieving its sustainability goals while also strengthening its presence on the shelf.

This ambition led to a full rebrand, spanning everything from packaging to their website.

A key part of that transformation was the switch from direct printed cups to Greiner Packaging’s K3^® cardboard-plastic cup. The decision was driven by both sustainability considerations and branding opportunities. By combining a thin-walled plastic cup with a cardboard wrap, the solution reduces the amount of plastic used compared to a direct printed cup, contributing to an improved carbon footprint. And thanks to the tear-tab, consumers can separate the cardboard from the plastic cup and each material can go in their respective recycling stream.

At the same time, the cardboard sleeve opens up new creative possibilities: high-quality printing on both the outer and inner sides of the wrap allows the brand to combine strong shelf impact with more in-depth storytelling. By switching to Greiner’s K3^®, the dairy makes full use of this potential – using the outer sleeve to attract attention at the point of sale, while the inner print communicates key topics such as A2 protein, sustainable farming practices, and recycling guidance. A detailed illustration of the Finger Lakes landscape further reinforces the product’s origin and authenticity, creating a deeper connection with consumers.

From early beginnings supplying local stores and restaurants in New York City, the company has steadily expanded its presence and today can be found in more than 500 stores, including Whole Foods, Wegmans, and specialty retailers across the region.

Over all this time, sustainability remained a guiding principle in decision-making. “Every choice we make is guided by a simple goal: to protect and preserve our resources for future generations,” Josh Spicer from Old Chatham Creamery emphasizes. This mindset shaped not only farming practices and ingredient sourcing, but also the transition to a more sustainable packaging solution. The introduction of Old Chathams yogurt packaged in Greiner Packaging’s K3^® cup in mid-March this year marked an important milestone in this journey. Across its three core formats, 5.3 oz, 16 oz, and 24 oz, all rigid packaging has been transitioned to the K3^® solution, establishing a consistent packaging concept across key sizes.