Mars Pet Nutrition has launched a trial of packaging-free pet food in partnership with French hypermarket chain Carrefour.
The company has created a merchandising solution to sell products from the Whiskas, Catisfactions and Perfect Fit brands in bulk using dispensers on the shop floor at Carrefour’s Montesson hypermarket.
Consumers are provided with reusable containers for consecutive pet food refills, with product information available via QR codes on the dispensers. In addition to reducing packaging waste, the bulk sales dispensers enable shoppers to purchase the exact quantity needed.
The move is part of Carrefour’s wider test-and-learn bulk initiative at Montesson, aligned with France’s National Pact on Plastic Packaging, where stakeholders are jointly working on solutions to drive a circular economy. Mars has set a global ambition to have 100% of its packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable eventually, following research saying 45% of pet owners would prefer sustainable packaging, while 60% are looking for ways to reduce their plastic usage.
Deri Watkins, Regional President at Mars Pet Nutrition Europe said: “Packaging waste is a global problem and does not align with Mars’ vision for a world where the planet is healthy. That’s why we continue to take action to support a circular economy, for a world where packaging materials do not become waste, but ultimately are reused, recycled, or composted.
“Moving forward, we will continue to transform our business in ways that help protect our environment and care for people and pets by engaging with our trade partners and using our influence to drive change at scale.”
