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.

Recycling problems that industries face today:

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.

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.

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

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.