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Greiner Packaging: Lightweight buckets help Dutch dairy producer reduce material use

Reducing material use, lowering CO₂ emissions, and keeping processes efficient all must work together, without disrupting filling lines, logistics, or product quality.

Zuivelboerderij Hoogenboom, a Dutch family-owned dairy company, faced exactly this balancing act when rethinking its buckets for their yogurt. What they needed was not just new packaging, but a bucket that aligned with their values as a local producer while supporting their growth across different markets.

From 1-liter buckets for Greek and Turkish yogurt to 10-liter containers, the collaboration demonstrates how packaging innovation can support both sustainability goals and everyday operational needs.

A Family-Owned Dairy Company with Clear Priorities
Located near Utrecht in the Netherlands, Zuivelboerderij Hoogenboom is a small, family-run business with around 350 cows. Their focus is on local milk production, sustainable farming and short supply chains. Their yogurts are sold in supermarkets in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, UK and Italy, offering plain yogurt with different fat levels. With their sustainability approach, they also needed packaging that aligns with it.

Packaging challenges Dairies face
Like many other dairy producers, Zuivelboerderij Hoogenboom wanted to move away from a heavy, less resource-efficient bucket. At the same time, there was no room for compromise when it came to performance.

Their requirements reflect what many dairies are looking:
- Lower packaging weight to improve the overall CO₂ footprint

- Seamless compatibility with existing filling lines and logistics

- Multiple sizes and designs for different markets and consumers

- A recyclable mono-material solution

- A reliable, accessible partner who listens and hears their needs

Why lightweight buckets make all the difference
Switching to a lighter bucket was about more than reducing grams of plastic, it was about creating a positive impact across the entire supply chain.

The new lightweight buckets for Zuivelboerderij Hoogenboom include three different sizes: 1 L, 3 L, and 10 L, each adapted to its specific use:

- The 1-liter bucket, used for Greek and Turkish yogurt sold to large retailer in the BeNeLux, is designed without a handle, minimizing material usage and weight.

- The 3-liter and 10-liter buckets, used for plain yogurt in Turkish supermarkets, include handles to ensure stability and ease of carrying for larger volumes.

Compared to their previous solution, the lightweight bucket reduced packaging weight by around 20%. This reduction means for the Dutch company fewer raw materials, lower energy consumption during production, and improved transport efficiency, without affecting functionality, handling, or process reliability.

“With our lightweight bucket, we were able to reduce material usage while keeping full compatibility with filling lines and logistics, only small adjustments were necessary. Projects like this show how sustainability and performance can go hand in hand.”

The whole bucket assortment for Hoogenboom, including lids, are made of polypropylene (PP) and use in-mold labeling (IML) technology. Because the label and the container consist of the same material, the packaging is a mono-material solution that can be recycled as a single item.

Feeling Heard Makes the Difference
For Zuivelboerderij Hoogenboom, the decision wasn’t based on technical performance only. Having a partner who was geographically close and responsive played a major role in the transition.

“For us, it was important to work with a partner who understands our needs and is close by. With Greiner Packaging, we felt heard from the beginning, and the support has been consistently strong.”

Gijs Hoogenboom from Zuivelboerderij Hoogenboom
That close collaboration ensured a smooth switch to the new packaging solution and built confidence that sustainability improvements could be achieved without added complexity.