Danone to embrace Australasian Recycling Label

Danone, which makes yoghurts in Australia and manufactures baby formulas in New Zealand, has announced its plans to fully implement the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) across the entirety of its locally made product range by the end of 2023.

The ARL scheme is a standardised labelling methodology that is designed to make it easier for consumers to understand specifically how to recycle and dispose of product packaging. Its main aim is to substantially increase the amount of recycling in order to instigate a circular economy of recyclable, compostable and reusable packaging.

In addition to adopting the ARL, Danone is utilising the Packaging Recyclability Evaluation Portal, which was developed by the same group that produced the ARL. This online portal allows for the company to analyse all of its packaging for recyclability.

The company first began using the ARL in early 2021, with about 40% of its locally made products already incorporating the labelling.

“Danone’s global commitment to circularity is deeply embedded in how we approach our packaging design for our products manufactured in Australia and New Zealand,” said Danone ANZ Managing Director Rodrigo Lima.

“By 2025, one hundred percent of our packaging will be either recyclable, reusable or compostable. The rollout of the ARL is an important dimension of this broader commitment as it provides full transparency for our customers, consumers and other stakeholders.”

In Australia, Danone makes yoghurt brands including Activia, Alpro, So Delicious, Two Good, Ultimate and YoPro*, while in New Zealand Danone manufactures baby formula brands Aptamil and the home-grown Kiwi brand, Karicare.

^{(*through Danone’s joint venture with Canadian dairy company, Saputo)}