Plastics Revolution

We are committed to PCR.

*Excludes 15 oz and 48 oz jars

As the leading mayonnaise brand in the US, we have the responsibility to provide the people who love our products with condiments that not only taste good but are also a force for good. Part of being a force for good is being committed to tackling packaging waste.

Put simply, we believe in Real Taste and Less Waste, that’s why we’re committed to tackling the packaging waste of our products. Discover the overall plastics problem, what we are doing about it and what you can do to help below.

The global plastics problem

The global plastics problem is a wrong the world must right. Currently, a lot of products are made from single-use plastic. There is no clear guidance on how and where to dispose it, and the infrastructure for recycling in many countries is not in place to reincorporate this material back into production. As part of a wider initiative at Unilever, Hellmann’s is progressively making its jars & squeeze bottles recyclable, however, the issue globally is way bigger than just one company, as the issue lies with plastic itself.

Not all plastics can be recycled

Recycling plastics depends on the infrastructure and technologies one has access to. Plastics that are recycled are called PCR – Post Consumer Resin. Currently, plastics that are recyclable are PET (rPET) – this includes Hellmann’s Bottles & Jar Materials, PP(rPP) and PE(rPE). Note that PCR is the umbrella term used for recycled plastics like rPP, rPE, rPP etc.

However, flexible laminates (Doypacks/pouches and sachets) are not.

Pet plastic can only be recycled a limted number of times

Every time PET plastic is recycled (it becomes rPET, a type of PCR), the material goes through a “downcycling” process, losing value. Eventually the plastic is unable to be reused again.

Colored pet is often not recyclable

Recycling colored PET would result in dark opaque bottles with no commercial appeal, leading the recycling industry to often not collect them.

The Food industry requires the highest level of hygiene for reused plastic

Ensuring food safety and ensuring we comply with the very rigid policies of the food industries, we ensure that we utilize the highest levels of hygiene and processing for our recycled packaging.

Food industry rigid policies for its plastic sourcing can make recycled PET (rPET/PCR) production more labor intensive and restrict its plastic suppliers, making this material offer less abundant and more expensive.

Despite some of the difficulties in sourcing the PCR/rPET material and the high cost in doing so, producing our packaging in PCR is a net positive to our society and it is something as a company and brand we are committed to.

What we are doing about it

Part of this commitment involves moving our jars and squeeze bottles into 100% recycled plastic, or PCR by 2025. Our PCR packaging is made from 100% food-safe plastic material and has a slightly darker tint compared to the previous packaging. While this sometimes means that our jars and bottles appear darker, rest assured that the mayonnaise and mayonnaise dressing inside our jars and bottles has not changed and has the same delicious taste you expect from Hellmann’s.

This is only the beginning of Hellmann’s journey towards reducing plastic waste, and supporting our parent company, Unilever, in its plastic commitments.

Unilever Plastic Commitments:

Ensuring all plastic packaging is 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025
Using a minimum of 25% post-consumer recycled resin in our plastic packaging by 2025

PCR is inherently darker in color, but is 100% food safe and approved by the FDA. Rest assured, the mayonnaise and mayonnaise dressing inside our jars and bottles has not changed and has the same delicious taste you expect from Hellmann’s.

Yes, our PCR packaging is recyclable. The only components of Hellmann’s packaging that are not recyclable are the cap and sleeve on our squeeze bottles, which must be discarded before the bottle is recycled.

Yes. Hellmann’s bottles and jars sold in US retail stores will state one of the following messages: “100% recycled bottle”,“100% recycled jar”, or “Jar made with 100% recycled plastic.” There will also be a QR code on our jars that you can scan to retrieve more information.

No. Unilever is committed to ensuring 100% of plastic packaging will be designed to be fully reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2025, and our new packaging ensures Hellmann’s efforts will help support that commitment.

We're working to make sure that Hellmann’s bottles and jars are completely made from 100% recycled or PCR materials . The sleeves and tops on Hellmann’s squeeze bottles and the lids on the jars are currently not yet made of recycled plastic. As a first step, we are actively researching new ways to ensure that all components of our packaging is 100% recycled.

How you can help

It all begins with your purchase

Why should I prioritize buying products that use 100% recycled plastic? What are the benefits?

Using recycled plastic has the following environmental benefits:

Supports the recycling infrastructure.
Producing recycled plastic is less reliant on natural resources like petroleum, requiring less energy, and leaves a lower total carbon footprint.
Could eventually help reduce the number of bottles sent to landfills.

Empty your Hellmann's jar / bottle before throwing it away

Clean jars are more likely to be successfully recycled than dirty ones. We encourage you to always use the very last bit of your Hellmann’s, so you help us reduce food and packaging waste.

Recycle your bottle / jar

How should consumers recycle the new jars and bottles?

Consumers can recycle the Hellmann’s Mayonnaise plastic jars and squeeze plastic bottles. Consumers need to remove the caps from both our jars and squeezes before recycling, as well as the shrink wrap around our squeezes. We encourage consumers to quickly rinse their jars and squeeze bottles before recycling and follow their local municipal recycling guidelines.

Fridge Night

Make Taste Not Waste

Plastics Revolution

The global plastics problem

Recycling problems that industries face today:

Not all plastics can be recycled

Pet plastic can only be recycled a limted number of times

Colored pet is often not recyclable

The Food industry requires the highest level of hygiene for reused plastic

What we are doing about it

Unilever Plastic Commitments:

What is "PCR"?

What do our 100% PCR jars look like?

Why does the recycled plastic packaging look darker now?

Is Hellmann's PCR packaging recyclable?

Will there be any language on the package about the recycled materials?

Is Hellmann’s changing its packaging to meet a mandated industry standard?

When should we expect to see the new recycled plastic packaging in stores?

Will all components of Hellmann’s plastic containers be made from recycled materials?

Will all Hellmann’s products be using recycled plastic packaging in the future?

Is the new packaging BPA-free?

How you can help

It all begins with your purchase

Empty your Hellmann's jar / bottle before throwing it away

Recycle your bottle / jar

Explore our other missions