Around the world, Kraft Heinz has pledged to make all the packaging for their products either recyclable, compostable, or reusable by 2025. Aware that it can’t do it alone, Kraft Heinz will be working with various industry experts and environmental consultant agencies to make its goal a reality, according to Bloomberg Environment.
Heinz ketchup packets are found in restaurants, concession stands, sports stadiums, and grocery stores around the world. As of 2010, the brand was selling around 11 billion packets per year.
The decision to overhaul the product design will likely require significant investments. The company was pressured by consumers and investors to make this move, according to the Chicago Tribune, and the ketchup giant's pursuit of greater sustainability reflects an industry-wide shift.
This new initiative by Kraft Heinz is not completely new for the company. Recently, it surpassed its goal of cutting 50,000 metric tons of packaging by reducing the size and shape of its ketchup packets.
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The next phase of this effort is part of a growing trend among businesses to tackle environmental waste, reduce carbon emissions, reduce plastic use, and improve the overall sustainability of their operations. In addition to Heinz, brands like McDonald’s, Ikea, and Starbucks have vowed to cut down on plastic waste.
An analysis by the market research firm Ceres found that 240 companies are taking steps to reduce their environmental footprints. Becoming more sustainable is a way for businesses to stay relevant, increase revenue, and gain popularity, according to the Guardian.
Read More: Plastic We Think We've Recycled Could Still End Up in a Landfill. Here's How.
Plastic, in particular, has become a flashpoint for environmental activists in recent years as awareness grows of its ecological impact. The effects of plastics are widespread and far-reaching. Humans absorb the chemicals found in plastic and plastic pollution often harms marine life. Further, plastics take thousands of years to break down and about 4% of the world’s production of oil is needed to produce the amount of plastic we consume.
Heinz is doing its part by commiting to make ketchup a more sustainable option at barbecues everywhere.