Schmackos has announced that its 200g and 500g Schmackos, Strapz, and Stix now feature packaging made from 60 per cent recycled plastic.
The significant reduction in the use of virgin plastic underscores Mars Petcare’s commitment to sustainability and establishes the Schmackos brand as the region’s leader in recycled food grade content in the dog care and treats category.
As a result of this initiative, Schmackos will reduce its annual use of virgin plastics by 40 tonnes, equivalent to the amount of plastic needed to stretch from Melbourne to Sydney.
Mark Harry, Mars Petcare Australia’s research and development director, said “Mars Petcare is invested in creating a circular economy for soft plastics in Australia and globally and we’re proud to be one of the first in our industry to make such a large, quantifiable change in our packaging. It is a great step towards our targets in Mars’ $1b Sustainable in a Generation plan, which aims to reduce virgin plastic use and incorporate 30 per cent recycled plastic into our packaging.
“Creating packaging that is both safe for food and sustainable is an ongoing challenge for our industry and as a result there is a limited supply of food-grade recycled plastics available. We understand that as leaders in the industry, it is our responsibility to find and develop solutions to this challenge.
“The new Schmackos packaging is not only reducing our use of virgin plastics, but it’s also signalling to the rest of the industry that there is a growing demand for recycled content and advanced recycling technologies in Australia and New Zealand.
“We hope that other pet brands will be able to benefit from an increased supply and join us in sourcing more recycled content for their packaging. We know this is not only great for the environment but for pet parents who are interested in making informed decisions based on how sustainable a product or brand is.”
The new Schmackos packaging is certified by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC +) system, guaranteeing that the material reliably includes through a certified mass balance approach.
The ISCC Plus certification scheme supports new technologies that convert hard-to-recycle materials into new plastic, contributing to a more sustainable world.
The Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) also congratulated Mars Petcare on its efforts, which will contribute to the 2025 sustainability targets, setting a new standard in the pet food category for circular packaging innovation.
APCO CEO, Chris Foley said, “No material is truly recycled until it has been used again, so in order to achieve a circular economy it is vital that we work to increase the use of recycled content in packaging. Mars Petcare’s significant reduction in virgin plastic usage underscores their strong commitment to circularity.”
Amcor is the key supplier of Schmackos content packaging and was pleased to work with Mars to bring this to fruition.
Richard Smith, director of sustainability at Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific, added, “At Amcor, we are committed to driving the adoption of circular packaging solutions that support our customers’ sustainability goals. The introduction of certified circular plastics in Schmackos’ packaging is a significant step forward, showcasing how innovative materials can reduce reliance on virgin plastics while maintaining the highest standards of food safety. This collaboration with Mars Petcare highlights the growing momentum for advanced recycling technologies in Australia and New Zealand, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of this transformation.”
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