The new Schmackos packaging is certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC +) system, guaranteeing that the material reliably includes through a certified mass balance approach.
Mark Harry, Research and Development Director at Mars Petcare, said creating packaging that is both safe for food and sustainable is an ongoing challenge for the industry and as a result there is a limited supply of food-grade recycled plastics available.
“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.
“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.
Chris Foley, CEO of APCO, said Mars Petcare’s significant reduction in virgin plastic usage underscores their strong commitment to circularity.
“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.”
The new packaging will be visible on shelf in Coles in Australia from the end of August, ahead of a market-wide rollout that will include New Zealand later this year.
