Dive into the latest waste and resource news with Circular Online’s news in brief roundup.
This news in brief roundup features the launch of Alupro’s new consumer campaign and Kraft Heinz Company announcing new goals to reduce the use of virgin plastic in its global packaging portfolio. To start, the our first story is on Tesco’s new plastic packaging trial.
Tesco announces new mince packaging with 70% less plastic
Tesco is trialling new packaging for two lines of mince which use 70% less plastic and can be returned to flexible plastic recycling points in store.
The new “pillow packs” are being trialled on two lines the 500g Tesco Beef Lean Steak Mince 5% fat (£3.49) and Tesco Beef Mince 500g 20% fat (£2.49) products. The new design replaces the traditional tray/top wrap pack.
Tesco describes the “pillow packs” as the opposite of vacuum packs as the slightly inflated pillow in the packaging keeps the mince from being compressed. The design can hold the same amount of mince as the previous packaging despite being smaller in size.
While not recyclable through kerbside collection, customers can return the packaging to front-of-store recycling units with their other soft plastics.
Removing or reducing unnecessary plastic is an important way that Tesco can reduce its environmental impact.
Dom Morrey, Tesco Commercial Director for Fresh, commented: “As well as looking for great value when they shop, customers want to see less plastic packaging in their trolleys. Pillow packs are a win-win: they keep the mince in perfect condition while requiring much less plastic.
“Removing or reducing unnecessary plastic is an important way that Tesco can reduce its environmental impact. We’re proud of what we have done so far but continue to look for ways to do more.”
Tesco says its packaging strategy has removed around 2.2 billion pieces of plastic from its UK business, including 200+ million bags from Tesco.com deliveries, 100+ million extra lids from products such as wipes, creams, yoghurts and desserts, and 50 million pieces of plastic wrapping from cans of branded beers and ciders.
Kraft Heinz announces goal to reduce virgin plastic by 20% by 2030
Kraft Heinz Company announces new goal to reduce the use of virgin plastic in its global packaging portfolio by 20% by 2030.
The company, which produces Heinz beans, Philadelphia cheese and Capri Sun, expects the change to reduce the use of approximately 100 million pounds of virgin plastic.
Kraft Heinz Company says it aims to reach the goal by using less plastic, more recycled content and alternatives to plastic.
The goal builds on existing investments the Company has made across its portfolio to reduce plastic use and meet its wider packaging goals, which include making 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by 2025 and reaching net zero emissions by 2050 while halving emissions by 2030.
The Company also targets replacing 15% of its U.S. PET rigid plastic packaging portfolio with post-consumer recycled content by 2025.
Kraft Heinz is also identifying packaging solutions that use less plastic, such as eliminating unnecessary plastic components. In the UK, HEINZ replaced its plastic shrink-wrap with a multipack paperboard sleeve, which it says eliminated over 1 million pounds of plastic in 2022.
We are investing in innovative technologies and partnerships that are critical to helping us redesign packaging.
The Company says HEINZ also partnered with specialists in the UK to create HEINZ Beans Snap Pots from recycled 39% recycled that consumers can return to Tesco to be recycled.
Rashida La Lande, Executive Vice President, Global General Counsel, and Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer at Kraft Heinz, commented: “To achieve our ESG (environmental social governance) goals, including to reach net zero emissions, we can’t continue to do things as we have in the past.
“We are investing in innovative technologies and partnerships that are critical to helping us redesign packaging, eliminate unnecessary plastic, increase our use of recycled content, and influence the adoption of reuse models. This is one more way we’re renovating our product portfolio to not only offer more sustainable options but to deliver on our consumer expectations.”
Alupro launches new consumer campaign #FoilFriday
Alupro has launched a new consumer engagement campaign, #FoilFriday, as part of its aim to increase aluminium recycling rates within the UK.
The programme, which is running between July and December, will see householders targeted with a series of digital media assets in a bid to increase aluminium foil recycling and reduce contamination.
Run in partnership with local authorities, the initiative uses social media to encourage residents to recycle more at home. A suite of #FoilFriday social media assets promoting best practice recycling advice and linking to key themes throughout the year are available to download for free from the Alupro website.
The six-month initiative also supplies website content, a foil fact sheet and local press releases for use throughout the campaign – with all promotional materials also available in Welsh.
Throughout all of our campaigns, the most important message is that aluminium is infinitely recyclable.
Tom Giddings, executive director of Alupro, commented: “One of our key roles as an organisation is consumer education and by working closely with local authorities, we’re able to effectively communicate the benefits and importance of recycling aluminium packaging.
“Throughout all of our campaigns, the most important message is that aluminium is infinitely recyclable, meaning it can be repurposed time and time again – and crucially, this is where making a few small changes can add up to a big environmental impact.
“We’re confident that this campaign will enable us to reach a wider audience, while also contributing to the increase in aluminium packaging recycling rates.”
