Wedoany.com Report on Mar 7th, Dutch retail giant Jumbo Supermarkt, in collaboration with packaging solutions provider Verpact, has successfully introduced 3-liter frying oil bottles containing 30% recycled plastic to supermarket shelves. This initiative is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 2.5 kilograms for every kilogram of plastic recycled.
Verpact launched the Circular Plastics Packaging Delta program last summer in partnership with several brand owners to address challenges such as a lack of reliable recycling logistics, inconsistent quality of recyclables, and insufficient supply chain connections. The program connects supply and demand through a circular plastics bank, providing solutions for partners and helping them meet the European 2030 target for recycled plastic content.
Hester Klein Lankhorst, CEO of Verpact, stated: "We started pioneering efforts last year and are now showcasing our first collaboration with a major retailer. The Delta program demonstrates that innovation is possible when supply chain partners work together to remove obstacles. Transitioning to a circular economy is not only an environmental policy but also a strategic raw materials policy, requiring proactive industry action and supportive policies."
In this collaboration, Verpact connected Jumbo's market demand with Oiltrade's technical capabilities, achieving the integration of 30% recycled plastic into the existing bottle design without compromising quality. Oiltrade is responsible for filling, and Jumbo handles sales, jointly advancing sustainable packaging.
Marjolein Verkerk, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Jumbo Supermarkt, noted: "We opt for more easily recyclable packaging, but when increasing recycled plastic in frying oil bottles, we faced challenges in ensuring a stable, food-safe rPET stream. Given the large sales volume of 3-liter bottles, this change brings significant environmental benefits and helps customers make sustainable choices."
Marc van Arendonk, Commercial Manager at Oiltrade, added: "As a producer, we play a key role in accelerating circularity. This collaboration shows that sustainability and scalability can go hand in hand, and the Delta program turns ambition into reality." The first batch of bottles has been manufactured and is being shipped to Jumbo stores.
Globally, Bertolli has launched 100% rPET bottles for olive oil, and PepsiCo reported a 15% increase in recycled plastic usage in its 2024 ESG summary, aiming for 40% recycled content in primary packaging by 2035. These developments highlight the industry's continued commitment to circular plastic packaging.
