Kraft Heinz Rolls Out First Fully Recyclable Ketchup Bottle in the UK
Kraft Heinz is taking a significant step toward more sustainable packaging with the introduction of its first fully recyclable ketchup bottle in the UK. After intensive development, the new design replaces the traditionally unrecyclable flexible plastic cap with a fully recyclable alternative, marking a key milestone in the company’s packaging sustainability goals.
The redesigned cap is made using a single, rigid material that meets existing recycling standards. Unlike the previous version, which used multiple materials that hindered recycling efforts, the new cap allows consumers to recycle the entire bottle through standard curbside collection systems. This innovation alone is expected to prevent over one billion plastic caps from entering landfills annually, according to Kraft Heinz’s estimates.
The recyclable cap has been more than eight years in development, with the company investing around £1.2 million in its research and testing processes. During that time, over 185 prototypes were evaluated to meet durability, usability, and recyclability benchmarks.
The updated bottle is now available on shelves in the UK and will be rolled out to other European markets in 2024. This change affects all 100% recyclable squeezy ketchup bottles across Kraft Heinz’s flagship brands, including Heinz Tomato Ketchup and Heinz BBQ Sauce.
This move contributes to Kraft Heinz’s broader environmental objectives, which include making all packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. It also responds to growing consumer demand for sustainable packaging, especially in the food and beverage sector, where plastic waste remains a top concern.
From a broader FMCG industry perspective, Kraft Heinz’s packaging revamp underscores the increasing importance of material innovation in achieving environmental commitments. It also raises the bar for brands operating in similar product categories, where plastic caps and closures have traditionally posed challenges for recyclability.
As regulatory pressure mounts and consumer expectations shift, large FMCG players may find themselves accelerating investments in sustainable packaging technologies. Kraft Heinz’s latest initiative signals both a response to and a catalyst for transformation within the sector.