Purina has launched a first-of-its-kind recyclable flexible plastic packaging for wet pet food, beginning this month.
The innovation will be first introduced under the Felix brand in the Netherlands as part of a year-long pilot. This new pouch addresses a key challenge – to simplify plastic structures in order to make them recyclable, without compromising on the functionalities of food-grade packaging.
The packaging, which is made of Polypropylene (PP) allows the pet food pouches to be lightweight and recyclable whilst being high-heat resistant and equipped with the appropriate product barrier properties.
Polypropylene (PP) can be recycled in existing plastic recycling streams like the one in the Netherlands, where this pilot is being launched. Further roll-out plans will be assessed and communicated after gaining the relevant consumer response.
The pouches will be sold in a fully recyclable cardboard box which is, itself, made of 80 percent recycled paper and will contain 6x Beef and 6x Chicken pouches. The pilot will take place from September 2020 to September 2021 with the Netherlands’ largest retailer – Albert Heijn.
Bernard Meunier, CEO EMENA, Nestlé Purina Petcare said, “We want to contribute to creating a world where pets and people can thrive, and initiatives like this support our goal of offering food that is good for pets, and the planet. This latest innovation on Felix pouch is a significant step forward in our drive to deliver recyclable or reusable packaging on all of our products by 2025.”
As well as reducing the complexity of packaging, Purina is also exploring innovations including new paper-based materials and piloting reusable packaging systems where customers can bring their own containers to fill with dry pet food.