MasterFoods is trialling Australia's first paper-recyclable single-serve tomato sauce packs, reducing plastic by 58 per cent compared to its original packaging.
The trial, which is part of the company’s ongoing sustainability efforts, will run from November 2024 to April 2025, with over a million units evaluated across various locations, including sporting stadiums, petrol stations, mining sites, and pie shops.
The new paper-based packaging, made at Mars Food & Nutrition’s Wyong site, is designed to be recyclable via traditional kerbside systems, aligning with Australia's National Packaging Targets. Bill Heague, general manager of Mars Food & Nutrition Australia, explained, “The trial of paper-based MasterFoods Recyclable Squeeze-On Tomato Sauce packs marks another important milestone in Mars’ sustainability journey. This trial will allow us to better understand how the new format performs in market.”
The packaging, designed by Easysnap Technology, a division of Gualapack, is built for one-handed use, with a simple folding mechanism to dispense sauce. The project follows five years of research and $3 million investment.
Chris Foley, CEO of the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO), praised the collaboration, saying, “This trial will help ensure the packaging can be effectively recycled post-consumer use.”
The initiative is expected to reduce Mars Australia's plastic usage by approximately 190 tonnes annually if the packaging is rolled out across the full product range.
