Kraft Heinz partners with Polytag to trace waste

The Kraft Heinz Company has become the first branded food manufacturer to join Polytag’s Ecotrace program, an industry-led initiative aimed at improving the recyclability of packaging in the UK.

The scheme uses invisible UV Tag technology to capture data on single-use plastic packaging, providing Kraft Heinz with real-time insights into whether packaging is being recycled, in what volumes, and through which waste management streams.

The rollout will begin with a pilot on select lines of Heinz Beanz and Heinz Tomato Ketchup, with plans to scale the technology across additional product categories based on learnings from the initial deployment.

'With the help of Polytag’s UV Tag technology, this trial will help Kraft Heinz to access valuable product lifecycle data that will be instrumental in shaping a more sustainable future for plastic packaging,' said John Ryan, director of packaging for Kraft Heinz’ international markets.

'Transforming our Heinz squeezy ketchup bottles to become fully recyclable was a big milestone in our packaging journey. Improving how we track and trace its journey post-consumption is an important next step, and we’re excited by the possibilities this new partnership will unlock.'

Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, adds: 'The Ecotrace Program represents a monumental effort from our team and industry partners. For the first time, we’re able to collect barcode-level data at scale on the single-use plastics that UK households put into their recycling bins every day. Joining the Ecotrace program extends Kraft Heinz’s impact beyond their own brand, to supporting the circular economy across the whole of the nation.'