World Environment Day 2023 is focused on solutions to plastic pollution and Kellogg Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) is on track to exceed its goal to reduce the amount of virgin plastic used by more than 5% by the end of 2023, two years ahead of its 2025 target.
Since 2021, this leading food company has removed over 50 tonnes of plastic from its Australian supply chain by focusing on continuous improvements to how it packs, ships and sells its food.
Kellogg’s is on track to remove a further 20 tonnes this year, resulting in a total of 70 tonnes of plastic eliminated from its supply chain between 2021 and the end of 2023.
Kellogg ANZ Research and Development Director Peter Crane says: “As part of our global Better Days Promise, Kellogg is committed to driving sustainable solutions that reduce our impact on the environment. One area we are focused on is excluding and reducing unnecessary plastic from our business. Over the past few years, we have reduced the weight of our cereal liners, removed plastic from our display stands and removed the plastic caps from our small Pringles can. These changes will help reduce the amount of virgin plastic we use by over 5%, in line with our Ellen McArthur Foundation targets.”
Kellogg also continues to support work on developing a viable solution for soft plastic recycling. Working alongside industry partners and the Australian Food and Grocery Council, Kellogg is one of 24 foundation supporters of the National Plastics Recycling Scheme (NPRS) in Australia.
The NPRS is currently trialing a model for kerbside collection of soft plastics, which would make it easier for Australians to recycle soft plastics at home, increasing the amount of packaging captured, while also creating a new advanced recycling industry in Australia that can turn used plastics back into new food-grade packaging.
Kellogg ANZ Managing Director Anthony Holme, a member of the Australian Food and Grocery Council Board of Directors, says: “As we progress our Better Days commitments, I’m excited to be a part of the NPRS, working towards closing the loop for soft plastic packaging, keeping it out of landfill and driving advanced recycling here in Australia.”
In addition, Kellogg New Zealand is part of the NZ Soft Plastics scheme, created by the NZ Packaging Forum. This program allows Kiwi consumers to recycle soft plastics via store drop off schemes and from here, they can be turned into products that are designed to last, such as planter boxes, fences and even roads.
For more information on the NPRS, visit afgc.org.au/industry-resources/national-plastics-recycling-scheme.
