OMNIA PACKAGING AND FRIENDLIER FORGE PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING SOLUTIONS

Guelph, 19th April 2024 – Omnia Packaging, a leading Canadian sustainable packaging company, proudly announces its partnership with Friendlier, Canada’s foremost reuse company to create a 16-ounce reusable coffee cup. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of alternatives to the single use coffee cup.

In Canada, 1.5 billion coffee cups are discarded each year, illustrating the urgent need for a solution in this country. The Friendlier coffee cup will enable coffee drinkers to enjoy their coffee, and return their cup to be washed, sanitized and reused. When the cup reaches the end of its life, it is recycled into a new coffee cup; closing the loop on the fully circular supply chain.

The union between OMNIA PACKAGING (www.omniapackaging.ca) and FRIENDLIER (www.friendlier.com) was forged following their mutual receipt of Government of Canada funding, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), in February 2023. Inspired by a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, the two organizations embarked on a journey of collaboration and innovation. “Congratulations to Omnia Packaging and a Friendlier Company, who are working together to create sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for Canadians. Their partnership is a testament to the vital role that businesses in southern Ontario play in finding innovative solutions that create more opportunities and grow our economy. Canada looks forward to what the future holds for Omnia Packaging and Friendlier as they will work together to reduce single- use plastics.” said the Honorable Filomena Tassi, Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

The partnership between OMNIA PACKAGING and FRIENDLIER signifies a significant step forward in the reduction of single-use coffee cups. Leveraging Omnia’s expert design for an elevated drinking experience, and Friendlier’s proven reverse logistics solution, the two have created a competitive solution to completely replace single-use coffee cups. “Sunino Group has always been dedicated and passionate about sustainable packaging solutions. We firmly believe that this partnership with FRIENDLIER represents another positive step towards positioning Canada for a greener future,” said Andrea Ceri, COO for Omnia Packaging Inc.

OMNIA PACKAGING, the Canadian arm of the esteemed Italian family owned Sunino Group, operates a state-of-the-art 90,000-square-foot facility in Guelph, Ontario. With over 50 years of expertise in injected molded products, particularly working with polypropylene, OMNIA PACKAGING is dedicated to producing high-quality – 100% recyclable – plastic and paper food packaging solutions.

FRIENDLIER, founded by Jacquie Hutchings and Kayli Dale, is driven by a passion for sustainability and the reduction of plastic waste. The company’s innovative distribution, collection, wash, sanitization, and return system spans across three provinces, encompassing 200 locations. FRIENDLIER is committed to educating businesses and students on the benefits of reusable containers.

“In an era where coffee culture embraces fair trade practices and sustainability, it’s ironic that these brews are still served in archaic single-use coffee cups. We are proud to be revolutionizing this space through our turn-key reusable packaging solution.” Jacquie Hutchings, Co-founder and CRO at Friendlier.

For more information on OMNIA PACKAGING, visit www.omniapackaging.ca.

To learn more about FRIENDLIER, visit www.friendlier.com.

To learn more about FedDev Ontario, visit https://feddev-ontario.canada.ca/en.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Monica Viazzo

Director Business Development & Marketing

mviazzo@omniapackaging.ca

Mobile +1 613 882 5565

Edward Hutchinson

Press Secretary Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

REUSABLE 16 oz COFFEE CUP 

The union between OMNIA PACKAGING and FRIENDLIER was forged following their mutual receipt of Government of Canada funding, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), in February 2023. Inspired by a shared commitment to environmental stewardship, the two organizations embarked on a journey of collaboration and innovation.

 

OMNIA PACKAGING , leveraging half a century of expertise in INJECTION PLASTIC MOLDING is your ideal partner for reusable and recyclable plastic solutions for food and beverage industry.

Grand Opening

Today, Omnia Packaging Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its production facility in Guelph, Ontario. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by the Honorable Minister Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario); Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph; Mike Schreiner, Member of Provincial Parliament for Guelph; along with Andrea Ferrari, the Ambassador of Italy in Canada; Consul General Luca Zelioli, Consulate General of Italy in Toronto and other representatives from the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario and Italian Trade Commission.

 

“This event has been organized to express our appreciation for the professional support and ongoing cooperation the Canadian Government and the Italian Institutions provide to our company,” shared Paolo Sunino, CEO and Owner of Omnia Packaging. “We are committed to leading the way in innovative, sustainable food packaging with a commitment to producing exclusively recyclable plastic and paper food packaging, helping to increase recycling rates across Canada by 2025.”

 

“Congratulations to Omnia Packaging, an Italian family-owned business!” said the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario.

“This beautiful new facility showcases your dedication and passion in positioning Canada for a greener tomorrow. Our government is committed to investing in the potential of hard-working businesses, like Omnia Packaging, that are working towards a strong, clean economic future for southern Ontario and all of Canada.”

 

In February 2023, the Government of Canada announced over $3.7 million in support to help Omnia Packaging purchase new equipment to produce unique, Canadian-made, 100 percent compostable and recyclable paper trays and 100 percent recyclable plastic trays for the food packaging industry.
Omnia Packaging has now opened it’s new facility in Guelph, Ontario – marking a significant milestone for Gruppo Sunino Italy (Sunino Group), in North America. The Sunino Group, is an Italian family-owned business that has been providing innovative sustainable packaging for multiple generations across three continents. The Group brings half a century of expertise in injection molded plastic products – a production process that incorporates modern, sustainable solutions for: food, sport accessories, promotional and toys.

 

In Canada, the Sunino Group through Omnia Packaging provides innovative and sustainable food packaging solutions in plastic and paper.
The paper division produces glue-free paper trays that can replace top-sealed Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) trays, without changing existing equipment. These recyclable trays can be used for fruit and vegetable produce such as strawberries, blueberries, snack tomatoes, mini cucumbers, mushrooms and more.

 

The Plastic Division provides plastic tubs for dairy, confectionery producers, and co-packers. The tubs feature lightweight walls, are all top-sealable, and are made from mono-material Polypropylene (PP), which is recognized as the purest and most recyclable polymer in the industry.

Omnia Packaging’s local investment in the latest automations for injected plastic and paper glue-free trays is dedicated to advancing sustainable packaging practices and championing a plastic-free waste future in Canada.

 

Learn more: https://www.omniapackaging.ca/

Contacts:
Monica Viazzo
Director of Business Development and Marketing
Omnia Packaging
mviazzo@Omniapackaging.ca

Edward Hutchinson
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Edward.Hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca

The government of Canada is investing $8.2 million in three innovative food packaging companies intended to reduce plastic waste by scaling up and creating 120 new jobs

Omnia Packaging is proud to announce that on February 28 th , the company was identified as one of three recipients of an $8.2-million Government of Canada investment, through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), aimed at advancing sustainable packaging practices and promoting a zero plastic waste future in Canada. This funding was announced by the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for FedDev Ontario, along with Lloyd Longfield, Member of Parliament for Guelph.

With this investment, Omnia Packaging will receive over $3.7 million to develop and expand its green, Canadian-made packaging solutions and products while creating over 50 job opportunities in southern Ontario.
The company is excited to leverage this funding to advance its efforts towards sustainable packaging practices and to contribute to a cleaner, greener future for Canada.
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