After nestlé Kit Kat packaging Danone has demonstrated that it is possible to create recycled plastic for food contact, just as it is for water bottles. The French food multinational is now marketing the first yogurt pot made of recycled plastic. Produced in Rotselaar, Belgium, this Light & Free yogurt pot is no longer made of polystyrene (PS) but of PET, 30% of which is recycled.
Recycled and recycled PET jars
"Recycled PET plastic (rPET) packaging has a lower carbon footprint than packaging made from virgin plastic or glass, says Nathalie Guillaume, Director of Commercial Affairs and Environments at Danone BeLux. With this new Light & Free jar, we are increasing the reuse of plastic. In addition, rPET offers good packaging quality, while contributing to its circularity."
The Belgian plant in Rotselaar is one of the first Danone plants in Europe to switch one of its production lines from PS to PET, which is recyclable in a closed circuit. In February, the site and its 470 employees were awarded the title of "Factory of the Future" by the technology industry federation Agoria to production sites that meet high standards in terms of respect for the environment, innovation and an employee-centric approach.
"The new Light & Free Fruit jar with 30% rPET represents an important and proud first step in our circularity ambition, emphasizes Isabelle Maillot, Director of Research and Packaging Innovation for Danone Europe . We're not stopping there! Our goal is to increase that proportion of rPET in our packaging, and we are accelerating the transformation in the rest of our portfolio."
Closing the loop with collection and information
And Danone has understood that for recyclable packaging to be recycled it must be properly sorted and collected. Danone therefore works with Fost Plus, responsible for the collection, sorting and recycling of household waste packaging in Belgium. They have introduced the blue PMC bag, which is now used by 6 million Belgian citizens to sort plastic packaging waste. And this bag will be deployed throughout Belgium.
"This is an important step in closing the circular chain, adds Nathalie Guillaume. We will also continue to raise awareness by communicating on our social networks, among other things."
By 2025, all Danone packaging will be designed according to the principles of the circular economy. "That means they will all, without exception, be recyclable, reusable or compostable."
