Overview

Kraft Canada transitioned from glass to new wide mouthed 475mL, 890mL and 1.5L plastic jars (PET) will replace existing 475mL, 950mL and 1.5L glass jars for Kraft Miracle Whip and Mayo products. PET, a highly recyclable plastic is accepted in virtually all Canadian municipal streams and a much improved ratio of 4.5 times for packaging to product ratio. The change will deliver more than 12 million lbs annual reduction of packaging material (80% vs. existing formats) and more than 9 million lbs reduction in landfill.

In addition to sustainability benefits above, other benefits include: less breakage, decreased freight cost (lower weight), more efficient pallet patterns for 890mL: from 56 to 70 12-count trays per pallet vs. 950mL glass, more efficient pallet patterns for 475mL: from 112 to 120 12-count trays per pallet vs. glass, more efficient pallet patterns for 1.5L: from 72 to 78 6-count shipper per pallet vs. glass. The new jars will stay in Tray and Shrink secondary packaging for 475mL and 890mL, with jar strength allowing displayability without extra packaging (890mL also provides improved stackability).

Motivation for Change

To be able to move to a more sustainable package while ensuring supply. Being so much more energy dependent and intensive (even when recycled) than PET, Glass is also much more volatile to manage from a cost point of view.

Cost Effectiveness

Less breakage, decrease freight cost (lower weight), more efficient pallet patterns for 890mL: from 56 to 70 12-count trays per pallet vs. 950mL glass, more efficient pallet patterns for 475mL: from 112 to 120 12-count trays per pallet vs. glass, more efficient pallet patterns for 1.5L: from 72 to 78 6-count shipper per pallet vs. glass. Still in Tray and Shrink for 475mL and 890mL, jar strength allows displayability without extra packaging. 890mL: improved stackability.

Performance

Much improved ratio of 4.5 times for packaging to product ratio.

Clean Production

Mt-Royal facility is certified ISO 14000.

Effective Recovery

PET jars are acceptable in virtually all Canadian municipal recycling streams.

Community Benefit

Reduction of packaging material weight. Reduction of CO2 and Energy usage. Plastic jars are less brittle, more flexible than glass and will result in less breakage.

Resource & Energy Optimization

Reduction of packaging material weight. Reduction of CO2 and Energy usage.