Innovations and partnerships have helped us pioneer the use of food-grade recycled plastics in packaging for The Vegetarian Butcher, Magnum and Hellmann’s. But to close the loop on plastic, we need legislative standards that makes recycled plastic in food packs commonplace.

Plastic plays a significant role in preventing food waste. It has an exceptional ability to keep out air, moisture and bacteria that can cause products to go off before they’re cooked or eaten. And it’s often the most efficient and cost-effective material to package food for transportation and storage.

In a recent survey by Boston Consulting Group of 15,000 people globally, 83% of millennial and Gen Z consumers said they’d be willing to pay more for products that came in sustainable packaging.

This demand has triggered a new ecosystem of alternative packaging materials and new business models, including the use of recycled and recyclable plastic graded especially for food products to ensure safety.

To respond to consumer demand and tackle plastic waste, our R&D teams are working to develop solutions to keep plastics in the circular economy alongside finding new materials to replace virgin single-use plastic.

Closing the loop on plastic packaging waste
A circular economy only works if the food packaging, after its intended use, returns into the economy for use as food packaging again.

However, there is currently no uniform legislative framework in place for the use of recycled plastics in food packaging. So, while demand for recycled plastic is set to grow, we need clear and consistent legislation with industry support to scale up and supply food-grade recycled plastic.

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