Mars Petcare’s Schmackos brand has switched its 200g and 500g single variety packs of Strapz and Stix to packaging made from 60 per cent recycled plastic through a mass balance approach.
This significant reduction in the use of virgin plastic underscores Mars Petcare’s commitment to sustainability and establishes Schmackos as a leader in recycled food grade content in the dog care and treats category.
As a result of this initiative, Schmackos will reduce its annual use of virgin plastics by 40 tonnes.
“Mars Petcare is invested in creating a circular economy for soft plastics in Australia and globally, and we’re proud to be one of the first in our industry to make such a large, quantifiable change in our packaging,” said Mark Harry, R&D director at Mars Petcare Australia.
“It is a great step towards our targets in Mars’ $1bn Sustainable in a Generation plan, which aims to reduce virgin plastic use and incorporate 30 per cent recycled plastic into our packaging.
“Creating packaging that is both safe for food and sustainable is an ongoing challenge for our industry, and as a result, there is a limited supply of food-grade recycled plastics available.
“We understand that as leaders in the industry, it is our responsibility to find and develop solutions to this challenge.”
The new Schmackos packaging is certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC+) system, which supports new technologies that convert hard-to-recycle materials into new plastic.
“The new Schmackos packaging is not only reducing our use of virgin plastics, but it’s also signalling to the rest of the industry that there is a growing demand for recycled content and advanced recycling technologies in Australia and New Zealand,” explained Harry.
“We hope that other pet brands will be able to benefit from an increased supply and join us in sourcing more recycled content for their packaging.
“We know this is not only great for the environment, but for pet parents who are interested in making informed decisions based on how sustainable a product or brand is.”
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) has congratulated Mars Petcare on its efforts, which will contribute to the bold 2025 Sustainability Targets, setting a new standard in the pet food category for circular packaging innovation.
“No material is truly recycled until it has been used again, so in order to achieve a circular economy, it is vital that we work to increase the use of recycled content in packaging,” said Chris Foley, CEO of APCO.
“Mars Petcare’s significant reduction in virgin plastic usage underscores their strong commitment to circularity.”
Amcor is the key supplier of Schmackos content packaging and was pleased to work with Mars to bring this to fruition.
“At Amcor, we are committed to driving the adoption of circular packaging solutions that support our customers’ sustainability goals,” said Richard Smith, director of sustainability at Amcor Flexibles Asia-Pacific.
“The introduction of certified circular plastics in Schmackos packaging is a significant step forward, showcasing how innovative materials can reduce reliance on virgin plastics, while maintaining the highest standards of food safety.
“This collaboration with Mars Petcare highlights the growing momentum for advanced recycling technologies in Australia and New Zealand, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation.”
The new packaging has been visible on Coles’ shelves since the end of August, ahead of a market wide roll-out which will include New Zealand later this year.
