In a first for New Zealand mainstream high-volume milk, Pact Group is now manufacturing all Meadow Fresh one and two-litre fresh milk bottles with 30 per cent food-grade rHDPE; reducing the amount of virgin plastic used by 250 tonnes annually.

Goodman Fielder New Zealand CEO, Bernard Duignan, said the move is an important milestone for the business.

“Making it easier for consumers to make the right choice for our planet is key to ensuring a better future. We are thrilled to introduce a solution that provides consumers a choice to make a better impact on the planet with Meadow Fresh milk, without impacting their wallets,” he said.

Part of Meadow Fresh’s commitment to a circular economy is designing for recycling, and a key feature of the new Meadow Fresh bottle is that it doesn’t contain white resin.

The removal of this white resin allows for the bottle to be recycled into new plastic bottles and other food packaging. The previous version of the bottle did contain white resin and could only be used in non-food packaging items such as crates and building products. 

“In removing the white resin from our bottles we are making it easier and more attractive for recycling,” Duignan said. 

Pact Group managing director and Group CEO Sanjay Dayal commended Goodman Fielder on this industry first.

“Consumers are increasingly demanding sustainable packaging that incorporates high quality, food-grade recycled content. By partnering with likeminded partners like Goodman Fielder, we can lead the Circular Economy together through sustainable packaging innovation,” he said.

In addition to Meadow Fresh’s launch of a more sustainable bottle, 2021 has already seen Meadow Fresh operated sites switch to using 100 per cent renewable electricity, and the business is also actively participating in EECA’s Energy Transition Accelerator Program to develop road maps to zero emissions at each site.