Sustainable Brands, San Francisco, Calif., USA, featured an article earlier this month explaining how in the first week of November, Nestlé announced it is the newest member of the How2Recycle Label Program. Selected Nestlé USA and Purina® brands will use the How2Recycle label to help communicate to the public how to recycle their packaging.

The How2Recycle label is a project of GreenBlue’s Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), developed to provide clear and concise on-package recyclability information and keep recoverable materials out of landfills. The brands join more than 40 How2Recycle member companies using the label on packaging.

"Nestlé’s adoption of the How2Recycle Label substantiates our commitment to contribute to initiatives to recover used packaging, and increase the use of recycled materials where there is an environmental benefit, to improve the environmental footprint of our products," said David Strauss, Head of Packaging at Nestlé USA.

"The How2Recycle labels are the next step in our partnership with consumers and communities to help give our packaging materials a second, recycled life where possible," said Diane Herndon, manager, sustainability, Nestlé Purina PetCare Co.

The companies — which join 30-plus other consumer goods companies, including most recently Plum Organics, Kellogg and McDonald’s — plan to phase in use of the How2Recycle label on many of their paperboard products in the upcoming months.

In regard to McDonald’s additional sustainability efforts, the fast-food chain announced that as of October 2015, all centrally sourced packaging* that is distributed across its 38 European markets** is chain-of-custody certified, with wood fiber coming from recycled sources or forests certified to one of two globally recognized standards for responsible forest management: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard or a Program for Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) national standard. 

The article defines the term "wood fiber" as refering to the material derived from wood to produce paper and board products, which McDonald’s uses in "front of counter" sales packaging such as cartons, cups, cup holders, bags, wraps, napkins, tray liners, and paper straw wrappers.

"This step represents a key milestone in McDonald’s European sustainable packaging strategy to source 100% wood fiber from recycled or certified virgin sources by 2016, as well as providing credible evidence to our customers that the packaging products we use come from well-managed forests," said Keith Kenny, VP of Sustainability — Worldwide Supply Chain at McDonald’s. "The achievement has involved collaboration across the length and breadth of our supply chain in all 38 European markets, from those that supply our restaurants right back to the family-run businesses that own the forests."

McDonald’s has a global goal to source all of its food and packaging sustainably, and wood fiber has been identified as a priority raw material by WWF alongside beef, coffee, fish, and palm oil. In its 7,900-plus restaurants across 38 European markets, McDonald’s currently uses around 170,000 metric tons of wood fiber in its packaging annually.

McDonald’s has already achieved significant sourcing milestones globally and in Europe. Since 2008, McDonald’s European markets have sourced 100% of their coffee (excluding decaf) from farms certified by Rainforest Alliance or Fairtrade. In addition to this, all of the fish used in McDonald’s Filet-o-Fish sandwiches in the U.S., Canada, and Europe is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, with the MSC logo displayed on packaging.

Meanwhile, JUST Water, a new 100% spring water from JUST™, has launched in Tetra Pak’s new Tetra Top® paper-based bottle. This marks the U.S. launch of this one-step open package that offers a new way for brands to deliver grab-and-go beverages to forward-thinking consumers.

"With focus on environmental and social stewardship, JUST Water offers consumers a different type of packaged water that feels as good as it tastes," said Grace Jeon, CEO of JUST™. "Tetra Top aligns with our brand ethos. The carton delivers a sleek, sustainable package that not only protects our great water but also is compelling to our consumers."

JUST™ selected Tetra Top because of the carton’s low carbon footprint and a manufacturing process that conserves energy and water. Moreover, the carton has post-recyclable use as paper products and green building materials.

Beyond resource preservation and recyclability, Tetra Top continues Tetra Pak’s commitment to sustainability in several other ways. The paper used in the carton bottles is sourced from sustainably managed forests. Tetra Top cartons also ship flat on rolls for increased distribution and storage efficiencies and a low carbon footprint.

"Tetra Top provides brands with a distinctive look in a crowded marketplace and helps them meet their sustainability goals," said Brian Kennell, president and CEO of Tetra Pak U.S. and Canada. "It looks great and is easy to carry and reseal, making Tetra Top a convenient option that’s perfect for consumers’ active lifestyles."

The carton comes with a slew of other benefits for brands – including non-transparent paper, which protects and preserves product quality, making it an ideal package for all kinds of beverages; and each carton features customizable printing capabilities with a distinctive "360⁰ billboard effect."

JUST Water will begin its national roll-out next month with Whole Foods Market and OTG, a leading airport restaurant and retail management company.

 

**Markets included are: Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., and Ukraine.