Berry increases recycled PE use by 36 percent

Berry Global’s European Flexibles division has increased its use of postconsumer recycled (PCR) polyethylene (PE) across its industrial, consumer (noncontact sensitive) and agricultural film products by 36 percent year over year, which it says reflects its dedication to driving sustainable packaging solutions and helping customers meet their environmental goals.

RELATED: Berry Global increases flexible film recycling capacity across 3 facilities

The company’s growing use of recycled content since 2021 demonstrates its proactive approach and commitment to sustainability, Berry says. It has set a goal to use 30 percent circular plastics across its fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) packaging products by 2030, aligning with its participation in global sustainability initiatives, such as the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s circular economy targets.

Berry says it has incorporated the additional 4,386 metric tons of PCR into a variety of its flexible film products, including primary packaging applications such as Form-Fill-Seal and Heavy-Duty Sacks used in construction and chemical industries and Single-Wound-Sheet for horticulture, peat and insulation products. The recycled content also is used in secondary and tertiary packaging, such as collation shrink films for the food and beverage sector and stretch wrap and stretch hood pallet protection films for logistics and transportation. The company also has incorporated PCR into its agricultural stretch wrap.

“Our technical expertise in integrating recycled plastics, supported by substantial investments in our advanced recycling facilities in Steinfeld, Germany, and Heanor, U.K., has allowed us to produce packaging solutions with increasing levels of recycled content, without compromising on performance,” says Tony Nawar, vice president and general manager of Berry’s European Flexibles Packaging Business.

“As sustainability continues to shape the new packaging landscape, we are proud to work with our customers to deliver high-performance solutions that strike the balance between sustainability and functionality."

Berry Global, headquartered in Evansville, Illinois, has secured RecyClass certification across many of its products, reassuring its customers of the integrity of its recycled content claims. This independent, third-party verification provides full traceability of the recycled materials used, ensuring transparency and trust in the company’s sustainability efforts, Berry says.