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Recyclability pledge across Ella’s Kitchen baby food range

14-Jun-2023 - Last updated on 14-Jun-2023 at 11:01 GMT

Ella's Kitchen's new pouches are made from one material, making them easier to recycle

Baby food manufacturer Ella’s Kitchen has pledged to make 73% of its pouches fully recyclable at the kerbside by 2024, as part of its continuing efforts to boost sustainability across the brand and within the industry.

Ella’s Kitchen launched its first ‘monomaterial’ pouch last month (May) and plans to transition its entire pasteurised range to this new packaging over the next 18 months.

Technically easier to recycle than the combination of plastic and aluminium in current pouches, the new monomaterial pouch has been shown to go through the existing UK recycling system – from kerbside collection through to sorting and recycling.

The launch coincided with the publication of sustainability impact report, Good Stuff We Do, in which the manufacturer highlighted the progress made towards delivering science-based targets on climate and areas for growth.

Recyclable pouches

This included plans to develop a monomaterial pouch for the remaining 25% of products that is able to withstand a different cooking process, as well as continuing to work with packaging manufacturers to explore potential solutions for transitioning the remaining pouches to a fully recyclable material.

Mark Cuddigan, chief executive of Ella’s Kitchen, said: “Today, as we unveil our annual impact report, we are proud of the work we have done to demonstrate our commitment to this mission.

“From transforming our packaging and setting ambitious science-based targets, to championing diversity and inclusion, every step we take embodies our responsibility to leave a lasting legacy.

Social action

In addition to environmental targets, the report also illustrates how Ella’s Kitchen is delivering on its commitments to social action and better business. In the last year, the company donated more than 600,000 pouches to food bank partners and supported the Better Business Act in parliament.

“We also recognise that the journey is far from over,” Cuddigan added. “Our impact report serves as a roadmap, charting our course for even greater impact in the years to come. Ella’s Kitchen will continue to lead by example, proving that businesses have a crucial role to play in improving the wellbeing of people and planet.”

Meanwhile, a new food-safe polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin made from captured carbon emissions has been debuted by LanzaTech Global.