NEW ZEALAND – Anchor, a key brand owned by the international exporter Fonterra Co-operative Group, is set to launch New Zealand’s first plant-based milk bottles, Blue range, with a new 2 litre bottle made from sugarcane.
According to Fonterra, this aligns with their commitment to have all packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025.
The sugarcane is natural, renewable and sustainably sourced in Brazil, one of the largest growers of sugarcane. In addition, the plant captures carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as it grows, resulting in a bottle that has a lower carbon footprint.
The sugarcane is made into plant-based HDPE plastic in Brazil and the bottle itself is made in New Zealand.
“This plant-based milk bottle is an important component in Fonterra’s wider sustainability strategy,”
Brett Henshaw – Managing Director, Fonterra Brands New Zealand
“We know sustainability is important to Kiwis and we want to offer consumers an option to make change for good – to purchase a product that comes in more sustainable packaging,” Fonterra Brands New Zealand Managing Director Brett Henshaw said.
“This plant-based milk bottle is an important component in Fonterra’s wider sustainability strategy. We have also committed to moving towards renewable energy in transport and manufacturing and finding ways to manage and reduce our emissions over the whole supply chain.”
Anchor has been part of New Zealand communities for 134 years and during this time it has innovated with a range of different milks and new packaging that respond to changing consumer needs.
Initially the new plant-based milk bottle will be available in the North Island, with a view to expand distribution and product ranging based on consumer response.
Anchor will launch with 300,000 Blue two-litre bottles per month.
Research into the new bottle shows that people are looking for products that are sustainably produced and they liked the plant-based bottle concept versus traditional fossil fuel based plastic alternatives.
Anchor commissioned an independent life cycle assessment of the bottle which concluded this plant-based HDPE also has a lower carbon footprint than conventional fossil fuel-based HDPE, which most plastic milk bottles in New Zealand are made from.
Anchor has also joined Bonsucro, a global non-profit organisation which promotes and certifies sustainable sugarcane production, processing and trade.
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