COVER STORY
It’s also made possible by the use
of an innovative in-house tool called
the Packaging Eco-Calculator, which
enables packaging developers
worldwide to positively affect the
environmental impact of the packaging systems they create.
Based on data from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
“We first developed the
Eco-Calculator in Europe
several years ago, and now
we’ve rolled it out globally to our
packaging teams,” says Yucknut.
“Since each new design goes through
the Eco-Calculator, it helps us contin-
ually look for new opportunities.”
Eco-friendly packaging design
successes include:
• The Oscar Mayer Deli Creations
packaging in the United States, using
“Our approach to sustainability is helping meet the needs of the present while being mindful of the future. And our vision is to make sustainability part of every business decision at Kraft Foods.” – STEVE YUCKNUT, VICE PRESIDENT, SUSTAINABILITY, KRAFT FOODS
30 percent less paperboard than the
previous design. It’s expected to keep
1. 2 million pounds of packaging out
of landfills. “Consumers like the new
package better because it is smaller
and easier to pack and take to work,”
reports Yucknut.
• The redesigned Crystal Light
powdered beverage packaging,
using nearly 10 percent less
material per package and
25 percent less material
in shipping trays. That
eliminates 250 tons of
packaging per year and
means Kraft Foods can fit
33 percent more packages per
pallet, meaning fewer trucks on
the road.
• Kraft Real Mayo has 20 percent
less packaging than before. The
design also eliminates 1. 3 million
pounds of materials per year and
lets Kraft Foods ship 10 percent
more product per truckload.
SUCCESS STORY #2
Waste
*TAKE NOTE
Setting
Sustainability
Goals
*Wasteis arelativeterm. What is waste to one person is a valuable commodity to another.
Waste has to be dealt with in a systematic basis. Each component
needs to be analyzed for potential
value. Today, Kraft Foods recycles
nearly 90 percent of its global manufacturing waste.
“We’re looking to reduce the
amount of waste we produce
and find value in what we do cre-
ate,” says Yucknut. “That means
turning waste into energy and find-
ing partners across the supply
chain that can put waste to work.”
In the United States, Kraft Foods
partners with Sonoco ( www.sonoco.
com), a global provider of packaging
products and services, on plant waste
reduction across North America,
resulting in a number of plants that
operate as “zero waste to landfill”.
Making Trash Trendy: TerraCycle converts the drink
pouch material from Kraft Foods’ Capri Sun brand into
unique fashion bags, tote bags, pencil cases and other
items for kids and adults.
