Mars Petcare has announced a new change for its multipack pet food products that will help to reduce plastic waste and bolster recycling. The announcement highlights an elimination of plastic shrink film in favor of cardboard across its entire lineup of brands including Whiskas, Pedigree, Kitekate and Chappie in the UK. This packaging change will reportedly see 180-tonnes of plastic waste, or roughly 15-million pieces of plastic, diverted from the landfill every year.
Interim General Manager at Mars Petcare Kim Smet spoke on the multipack pet food packaging change saying, "The switch from shrink-wrap to cardboard is an important step in helping us achieve our goal of 100% recyclable packaging by 2025."
The new packaging will be showing up widely on store shelves starting September 11, 2021.
Plastic-Free Pet Food Packaging
Mars Petcare Will Use Cardboard on Its Multipack Pet Food
Trend Themes
1. Plastic-free Packaging - Eliminating plastic packaging in favor of more sustainable alternatives presents disruptive innovation opportunities across industries from food to consumer goods.
2. Recyclable Packaging - Developing fully recyclable packaging will become a key driver in innovation across industries from retail to enterprise.
3. Sustainability in Pet Products - Innovation centered on sustainable pet products presents a growth opportunity in pet care and pet food industries.
Industry Implications
1. Pet Food and Care - The recent trend towards plastic-free and sustainable pet products offers a growth opportunity for companies in the pet food and care industry.
2. Food and Beverage - Eliminating plastic packaging and developing sustainable alternatives is a growth area for food and beverage companies looking to meet increasing demand for environmentally-friendly products.
3. Packaging and Materials - Companies in the packaging and materials industry face a challenge in developing fully recyclable and sustainable packaging that improves supply chain efficiency and reduces waste.