Sustainable Packaging
Shifting to reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic and reducing all forms of packaging waste is a global environmental priority.
There’s clear momentum for change and we’re aligned. That’s why we’re developing sustainable packaging for our products.
Reducing food packaging waste
We are working toward 100% sustainable packaging, guided by a formal strategy that supports long-term progress. Our key priorities include:
- Eliminating problematic or unnecessary plastics
- Designing 100% of plastic packaging to be reissuance, recyclable or compostable
- Expanding How2Recycle labelling
- Increasing recycled content
Across these initiatives, we are focused on reducing or converting trays, films, labels and other components to recyclable, compostable or reusable formats — while maintaining performance, food safety, quality and cost effectiveness.
How we're changing our packaging
Material reduction
Reducing packaging materials — while maintaining food safety and product protection — is a key focus of our sustainability efforts. These improvements help conserve resources and lower the overall environmental footprint of our packaging portfolio. We have successfully achieved the following reductions across our product lines (2019 baseline):
- 38% reduction in Deli Express since 2019 by using thinner, optimized film that maintains performance while using less material achieved in 2025.
- 40% reduction in packaging material weight across Maple Leaf® branded Lunch Kits by replacing the paperboard sleeve with preprinted film achieved in 2023.
- 14% average reduction in packaging material weight across Maple Leaf Prime® further processed poultry by right sizing the packaging components achieved in 2023.
- 75% reduction in packaging from converting our poultry packaging formats from a bag in a box to printed bags achieved in 2024.
Recyclable and post‑consumer recycled content
In 2025, we continued working closely with suppliers and industry partners to use more sustainable packaging solutions. Our focus has been on materials with lower environmental impact and stronger compatibility with North American recycling systems, supporting our goal of reducing plastic waste sent to landfill.
We successfully qualified recycle-ready materials for some of our most complex packaging formats, including flexible films, semi-rigid films, MAP trays and shrink bags — which together represent the majority of our packaging. Each new material was required to meet strict performance standards for machine efficiency, seal strength and food safety.
Now positioned to transition more than 90% of our retail branded SKUs to recycle-ready materials.
This progress reflects strong supplier partnerships, shared data and ongoing design improvements throughout the development process.
Bringing our commitment to life: sustainable packaging highlights
Modified atmosphere packaging trays
We are removing the polyethylene sealant layer in our modified atmosphere packaging trays, which recycling guidelines increasingly identify as a contaminant in PET recycling streams.
Shrink bags
Through joint development efforts, we successfully qualified a fully recycle-ready shrink bag option. This was not commercially available before 2025.
Flexible and semi-rigid films
Through material innovations and improved testing, we have strengthened the quality and performance of recycle-ready films, ensuring they meet all required standards.
Alternative materials
We continue to assess packaging options that use fewer resources and create less waste over their lifecycle. Current research and development efforts include:
- Trays made with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)–certified fibre
- Non-metalized or wax-coated paper structures
- Monolayer bioplastics designed with high-barrier properties
These materials show promise as alternatives to conventional plastics, while still meeting the performance and food protection requirements our products demand.
Integrated Report
We’re documenting and calculating all the changes we’re making. See our progress in our 2025 Integrated Report.