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News Articles

Purpose-Led Performance May 15, 2024

Reimagining our U.S. Everyday Core Herbs and Spices Portfolio

McCormick spices

 

McCormick’s U.S. Everyday Core Herbs and Spices portfolio is synonymous with pure and flavorful herbs and spices in the U.S. With over 100 million containers produced annually, sustainability was top of mind when the decision was made in 2019 to renovate the range. “It was a significant investment," explained Erik Holm, Director of Packaging Development in North America, “but demonstrates our commitment to carbon reduction in packaging.”

The packaging renovation combined consumer and customer needs with environmental considerations. The use of 50% post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) was considered meaningful by consumers and aligned with our retail customers’ goals related to a circular plastics economy and carbon footprint reduction. “In any new package or new product launch, we’re starting from the place of…we need 50% PCR or more. It’s part of our process.” said Erik.

Erik Holm, Director of Packaging Development in North America

"We are looking to improve sustainability by reducing virgin plastic usage." - Erik Holm, Director of Packaging Development in North America

McCormick spices

The use of PCR also significantly reduces the carbon footprint of a product. The use of 50% PCR across this U.S. core everyday portfolio has reduced the packaging carbon footprint by between 18% and 23%1. This is equivalent to nearly four million miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle2.

The everyday core portfolio uses the same manufacturing processes as several of our other products, driving the positive impact to extend beyond this portfolio. “Other items were converted to 50% PCR because of their relation of manufacturing,” explained Erik “So there were around a dozen additional bottles that converted at the same time.”

As with most sustainability commitments, reaching our sustainable plastic goal will be a challenge. Both collaboration with packaging suppliers and the packaged food industry evolving into a circular plastics economy will be key factors in reaching our success. Importantly, with the rate of current packaging renovation and innovation we are confident in finding the right solutions to ensure a more sustainable environment for future generations.

Follow the Flavor Forward Blog and McCormick & Company on LinkedIn and Instagram for company news and updates.

1Calculated using industry leading LCA software analysis following the guidelines of ISO 14040 in determining and documenting the scope, assumptions, consistent boundary conditions and data sources. Calculations were conducted per piece and compared total quantity of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) emitted throughout the life cycle, reported in kilograms of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), between a virgin plastic bottle and a bottle with 50% PCR content, with the global warming potential (GWP) calculated over a 100-year timeframe. This calculation has not been verified by an independent third-party.


2Based on a projected annual reduction of approximately 1,600 metric tons CO2e, for all projected sales of the 1oz, 2oz, 4oz, and Super Deal sizes produced over the period from June 2024 to June 2025 and calculated using the EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator available at https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator. This calculation has not been verified by an independent third-party.