You Can Pretty Much Say Goodbye To Ketchup Packets (Sorry, Fry Lovers)

Ever since Starbucks announced their decision to get rid of plastic straws completely by the year 2020, many other brands have been following suit with sustainable plans for the future. While companies such as McDonald’s, American Airlines, and Disney have pledged to get rid of plastic straws as well, that certainly isn’t the only way major brands plan to become environmentally friendly. One example: you can probably say goodbye to ketchup packets, because Kraft Heinz has just announced that it plans to make 100% of its packaging globally recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. Once Heinz does this, other companies are sure to do the same.

In a press release, the company stated that it plans to “aggressively pursue” sustainable alternatives to the packaging they offer now. To do this, they will be partnering with packaging experts, organizations, and coalitions to explore their options. The company plans to increase the use of recycled content in packaging, as well as to decrease the overall volume of packaging used.

This, of course, is going to lead to some big changes when it comes to the Heinz products you know and love. According to Bloomberg, some items you can expect to disappear over the next few years include ketchup packets, multi-laminate Capri Sun juice pouches, and the packaging of individually wrapped Kraft Singles cheese.

Kraft Heinz is excited to announce our commitments to make 100% of our packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025, increase usage of recycled materials and set science-based emissions reduction targets. https://t.co/UoBAfyEAoC

— The Kraft Heinz Company (@KraftHeinzCo) July 31, 2018

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The packaging of these things will be changed, but the company isn’t sure how just yet.

In 2010, Heinz redesigned the ketchup packet to a larger dip and squeeze cup, which reduces waste, but still can’t be recycled because of the film cover. The new packaging is going to have to “balance sustainability with requirements for food safety, shelf life, distribution, cost, and appearance.”

In the press release, Bernardo Hees, CEO at Kraft Heinz, stated, “Our collective industry has a massive challenge ahead of us with respect to packaging recyclability, end-of-life recovery and single-use plastics. Even though we don’t yet have all the answers, we owe it to current and future generations who call this planet ‘home’ to find better packaging solutions and actively progress efforts to improve recycling rates. That’s why Kraft Heinz is placing heightened focus on this important environmental issue.”

It might be annoying to lose ketchup packets and downright sad to potentially lose a childhood favorite like Capri-Sun, but honestly, if it’s going to help save the planet, it’s worth it. Plus, we’re a excited to see what they can come up with!

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To learn more about food sustainability, you can find more information here. It’s important that we, as individuals, also take steps to protect our planet.