Herbal and spice brand Schwartz is shifting its entire line of recipe mixes to recyclable packaging in the UK, which will cut plastic use by almost two-thirds while reducing carbon emissions.

Schwartz, which is owned by manufacturer McCormick, began rolling out recyclable pouches in July 2021. The company has now confirmed that a nationwide rollout will take place across the UK.

The new packaging is 100% recyclable and uses an On-Pack recycling label approved substrate that can be recycled at home or in curbside paper bins.

According to McCormick, the new packaging uses 61% less plastic than previous pouches, saving 29 tonnes of packaging weight per year. In addition, 78 tonnes of plastic will be avoided in landfills and there will be a 30% reduction in carbon emissions in the brand’s recipe mixes, which equates to 273 tonnes of carbon.

Anca Secara, McCormick UK Marketing Director, commented: “Today’s news is a milestone in our ongoing sustainability transformation. As the UK brand leader in the seasoning and recipe mix categories, Schwartz needs to take the lead and we are excited to announce that the entire line of recipe mix sachets will move to recyclable packaging. .

“Our consumers, customers and partners expect sustainable solutions from us and we are determined to improve even further. It also underscores McCormick’s continued commitment to goal-oriented performance and doing what’s right for the people, the communities where we live, work and supply and the planet we share.

The new packaging is part of McCormick’s goal to make 100% of its plastic packaging recyclable, reusable or reused by 2025.

At the end of last year, experts warned that the world is expected to go through a trillion pouches by 2030 and that the personal care industry produces 122 billion plastic pouches per year.

However, pouches are not covered by the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, which will ban the production of a plethora of single-use items by 2021. Additionally, the UK’s approach to it single use does not cover items.

Focus on energy efficiency

In addition to packaging, McCormick has rolled out new initiatives to reduce emissions in recent months.

Earlier this year, McCormick confirmed that a new facility in Peterborough is set to become its first net zero carbon building.

The new facility is being developed in accordance with the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework to help deliver net zero carbon in construction and operations.

A global carbon footprint was carried out to find ways to reduce emissions. The on-site concrete mixing and use of low-carbon concrete, as well as the reuse of the 12,400 m³ of soil excavated at the site will help reduce emissions.

The company recently partnered with Mars and PepsiCo in a coalition to encourage suppliers to reduce carbon emissions in accordance with climate science.

The three companies are the first member companies of the Supplier Leadership on Climate Transition (Supplier LoCT), a new collaborative effort to provide suppliers with the resources, tools and knowledge to develop ambitious carbon reduction strategies.

Through Supplier LoCT, which was set up in partnership with consultancy firm Guidehouse, end-user companies will help suppliers understand how greenhouse gas emissions can be measured and reduced in their own businesses by setting standards. scientific objectives and adhering to commercial commitments such as the RE100.

Matt Masse