ST. LOUIS — Nestlé Purina PetCare recently collaborated with packaging solutions company Berry Global Group, Inc., to convert the packaging for its Friskies® Party Mix® 20-oz and 30-oz cat treat canisters to 100% recycled plastic, excluding the label and lid. According to the companies, this achievement stems from a collaboration of packaging, material science, quality and operations personnel from both parties. 

The new canisters — which are made of 100% mechanically recycled PET (polyethylene terephthalate) — will be widely recyclable and available across the United States this summer, according to the companies.  

“We believe future generations of people and pets deserve safe and healthy spaces to roam and play,” said Franco Ignelzi of expert packaging at Nestlé Purina. “That vision includes a future where none of our product packaging ends up in a landfill and where our packaging is not only recyclable but incorporates recycled content. This project is an important step toward that vision.”

The material used for the jars — post-consumer resin (PCR) PET — is made from recycled plastics collected from consumers, preventing plastic waste from ending in landfills. The material also decreases virgin plastic consumption and reduces emissions while promoting a circular economy, according to Berry Global. Berry Global also explained that this move to 100% recycled plastic will eliminate more than 500 metric tons of virgin plastic annually, resulting in a greenhouse gas savings of 694 metric tons of CO2 equivalent.

“We deeply appreciate the partnership with Nestlé Purina to enhance the circularity of this package, which we’ve been pleased to supply for several years as part of a longstanding relationship with Nestlé,” said Nicole Pawlowski, senior strategic account director of Consumer Packaging North America for Berry Global. “This project reflects what is possible when partners collaborate to eliminate waste and develop packaging for circularity. It also reflects the effort and energy of many great teams within both companies. We are very proud of this partnership and look forward to future projects with Nestlé.”

The canisters are produced at one of Berry’s SQF-certified manufacturing facilities using certified food-grade mechanically recycled resin sourced from curbside collection streams.

Read more about packaging solutions and trends for pet food and treats.