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Weetabix aims for 99% recyclable packaging by summer 2022

22 October 2021

Weetabix Food Company is aiming to hit the milestone of 99% of its packaging being widely recyclable by summer 2022. The company is also currently on track to make 100% of its packaging recyclable ahead of the 2025 deadline set by WRAP for the UK Plastics Pact. 

Key changes in the works for Weetabix include transitioning the Protein line of its Weetabix On the Go breakfast drinks to widely recyclable PET bottles. The company has invested in extensive trials to ensure the clear PET bottle is able to keep the nutritional properties of the drink from deteriorating in sunlight. The new bottle will be 51% recycled content (rPET), reducing its carbon footprint by 7%. 
 
The company is also set to unroll an improved, widely recyclable paper wrap across all its biscuits having balanced the need to keep the cereal fresh throughout its shelf life with the need to be recyclable at kerbside. The improved paper wrap also has a smaller carbon footprint, delivering a 20% reduction in emissions compared to the existing packaging.
 
John Petre, head of supply chain and technical at Weetabix Food Company, said: “Ultimately, all our packaging decisions are based on whether they reduce our overall carbon footprint. Since food waste is a big contributor to carbon emissions and environmental damage, our concern is always to balance packaging innovation against that risk.
 
“Facing down this milestone of reaching 99% recyclable packaging is a huge testament to the hard work of the team. At this stage all the low-hanging fruit is long gone and the decisions that remain take a lot of hard work and dedication to get the innovations right. We had to do a lot of research and testing with our On The Go Drinks bottle in order to launch the fully recyclable bottle last year and we’re delighted to be rolling that out for our Protein range as well later this year.”
 
Weetabix has also published its 2021 Sustainability Report, detailing progress on its sustainability commitments. To find out more about its sustainability progress in the 2021 Click here.


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