FrieslandCampina switches to 100% recycled PET bottles

As from February 2021, FrieslandCampina will be making PET bottles from 100% recycled PET (rPET). Because a PET bottle can only be recycled if the consumer has removed the label, FrieslandCampina’s Research & Development department has additionally developed a brand new "zipper" that makes it easier to separate from the bottle. This makes FrieslandCampina the first company in the dairy sector to make its bottles virtually circular for its brands in the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Hungary.

Patrick van Baal, Global Director Packaging Development at FrieslandCampina: “With the 100% recycled PET bottle, FrieslandCampina is taking a new step in making its packaging circular. Our ambition is to become fully circular. That is why we are increasing the recycled content of our PET bottles from 20% to 100%. This step is crucial because in order to achieve our sustainability goals, all packaging must first become recyclable and/or reusable.”

Almost 1.9 million kilos of new plastic less

One of the objectives of FrieslandCampina’s sustainability programme "Nourishing a better planet" is to make the entire packaging portfolio fully circular and carbon neutral and to reduce the amount of packaging materials to a minimum as well. Five years ago FrieslandCampina already made the decision to switch to PET for all its drinking bottles, because PET can potentially be made fully circular. In addition, unlike glass, it is lightweight and has a low carbon footprint. By making all new PET bottles from old PET bottles, FrieslandCampina prevents the production of nearly 1.9 million kilos of new plastic.

Nourishing a better planet

FrieslandCampina wants to take major steps in recycling, renewability and a reduction in the use of fossil raw materials for packaging. That is why the company has also set its objectives through international and national partnerships such as the European and the Dutch Plastic Pact and ‘the new plastics global commitment’ of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.