Jumbo has introduced 3-liter frying oil bottles that now contain 30% recycled plastic. The first bottles have been produced and are on their way to stores. According to a statement released by Verpact, recycling every kilogram of plastic packaging results in a CO2 reduction of two and a half kilograms.
Hester Klein Lankhorst, CEO of Verpact, “We started pioneering, connecting, and matchmaking last year, and now we can present our first match with a major retailer. The delta plan shows what’s possible when supply chain partners are willing to collaborate and remove obstacles.”
The initiative is part of a broader challenge facing the Netherlands – closing the gap between cheap new plastic from outside Europe and recycled plastic from close to home. “The transition to a circular economy is no longer solely a matter of environmental policy; it’s increasingly a strategic raw materials policy. The Delta Plan provides us with a great driving force: if you want to get things moving, you have to take the initiative yourself. With the Delta Plan, the sector is contributing to a solution, but it can’t do it alone and without supporting policy. For example, recyclers need a stable long-term investment policy,” said Hester Klein Lankhorst.
Verpact said, since its launch, the Delta Plan for circular plastic packaging has evolved into a collaborative approach. It forms the foundation upon which concrete cases in the packaging chain, such as those involving Verpact, Jumbo, and Oiltrade, are matched, demonstrating that collaboration leads to increased use of high-quality recycled materials. As an independent connector, Verpact linked Jumbo’s market demand to Oiltrade’s technical capabilities and the quality of the packaging manufacturer’s recycled plastic.
Marjolein Verkerk, head of corporate social responsibility at Jumbo Supermarkets, said, “We’re increasingly opting for packaging that’s easier to recycle. With our ambition to use more recycled plastic in frying oil bottles, we repeatedly ran into a familiar problem: how to ensure a stable, food-safe, and qualitatively consistent stream of recycled PET plastic (RPET). Due to the large volume – the 3-liter bottle is a top seller in our product range – this change immediately delivers significant environmental benefits. It also helps us help customers make a more sustainable choice.”
