Maya Ellison
McCormick, the spice company, has been redesigning its packaging to be more environmentally friendly. In 2017, the company announced that its Old Bay and Black Pepper containers would be made of plastic instead of metal, reducing carbon emissions by 16%. The new plastic containers are fully recyclable and Bisphenol A (BPA)-free. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics, which are hard, clear (or clear-tinted), and unbreakable. It has been used to make products like water bottles, food storage containers, and baby bottles. While it is considered safe at low levels by the FDA, it may affect the brain and the prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children, and increase blood pressure. McCormick's commitment to eliminating BPA from its packaging is part of its broader sustainability goals, which include reducing its carbon footprint and achieving 100% circular plastic packaging by 2025.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| McCormick Plastic Containers BPA-Free | Yes |
| Other Characteristics | Recyclable, made of PET plastic, smaller carbon footprint |
| Other McCormick Goals | Reduce carbon footprint by 25%, achieve 100% circular plastic packaging by 2025 |
| Identifying BPA-Free Plastics | Usually labeled, opaque plastics are likely BPA-free, hard clear plastics may contain BPA |
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What You'll Learn
McCormick's sustainability goals
McCormick & Company, Incorporated is a global leader in the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of spices, seasoning mixes, condiments, and other flavourful products to the entire food industry. The company has outlined its sustainability goals and commitments in its 2025 goals and 2024 Purpose-led Performance Progress Report.
The company has also advanced its Grown for Good third-party verified sustainability standard for suppliers in the herbs and spices industry. This standard includes metrics that drive community resilience, economic stability for farmers, gender equality, women's empowerment, biodiversity conservation, and regenerative farming practices. McCormick's Grown for Good standard is currently being implemented in Brazil and will be expanded to other countries.
Additionally, McCormick is committed to reducing waste, increasing the sustainability of its ingredients, and respecting human rights. The company also prioritizes employee development and wellbeing, as well as food safety and nutrition. Overall, McCormick is dedicated to embedding sustainability throughout its operations and turning its global responsibility goals into action.
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McCormick's Old Bay and Black Pepper containers
McCormick & Company announced in 2017 that its Old Bay and Black Pepper containers would switch from metal to recyclable plastic as part of its pledge to be more environmentally friendly. The company committed to eliminating all BPA from its packaging by the end of 2018. BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a chemical found in polycarbonate plastics that some studies have shown can impair children's development. It is worth noting that new plastics are typically BPA-free and labelled as such. Opaque plastics can also be assumed to be BPA-free.
McCormick's switch to plastic containers for these products was also driven by a desire to reduce packaging costs. The new containers are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a material known for its sustainability and 100% recyclability. PET is used in water and soda bottles, and it requires significantly lower temperatures for recycling compared to metal.
While McCormick's decision to use plastic packaging for Old Bay and Black Pepper was well-intentioned, some critics have questioned whether their efforts would be better directed into more beneficial programs. Additionally, McCormick has since reverted to using metal cans for its line of Pure Ground Black Pepper, while the plastic containers for Old Bay Seasoning have remained unchanged.
It is important to note that McCormick is considering renewable materials, such as bio-based PET and plant-based PE, for its packaging. The company has also expressed its commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of its packaging by 25% by 2025.
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McCormick's switch from tin to PET
McCormick & Co., a global herb, spice, and flavor company, switched from using tin containers to PET containers for its Old Bay and Black Pepper products. This switch was part of the company's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint and enhance sustainability.
The decision to transition from tin to PET packaging was influenced by two key factors. Firstly, McCormick & Co. aimed to eliminate the inside coating of its containers that contained BPA (Bisphenol A). BPA is a chemical commonly found in polycarbonate plastics, which are known for their hardness, clarity, and impact resistance. However, concerns have been raised about the potential health effects of BPA exposure, particularly for fetuses, infants, and children.
The second factor was the company's commitment to improving its carbon footprint. Metal recycling requires significantly higher temperatures than PET recycling, with metal requiring over 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit compared to about 400 degrees Fahrenheit for PET. By switching to PET, McCormick & Co. reduced its CO2 emissions by 16%.
The company began working on the redesign in the mid-2000s but accelerated its efforts in recent years after committing to eliminating all BPA from its packaging by the end of 2018. This transition presented some challenges, as McCormick & Co. wanted to maintain the familiar appearance of its original packaging.
McCormick & Co.'s focus on sustainability extends beyond its packaging choices. They are also considering renewable materials, such as bio-based PET and plant-based PE, for their packaging. Additionally, the company has pledged to eliminate the use of PVC in its packaging, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
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McCormick's plastic containers are recyclable
McCormick & Co. is a global herb, spice, and flavor company based in Maryland. The company has committed to sustainability throughout its operations, with a focus on people, communities, and the planet. In 2017, McCormick announced that its Old Bay and black pepper containers would transition from metal to plastic, with the new packaging being fully recyclable and BPA-free. This change was made to reduce carbon emissions by 16%.
McCormick's sustainability goals include reducing the carbon footprint of its packaging by 25% and achieving 100% circular plastics packaging by 2025. The company plans to increase the recycled content in its packaging and develop new packaging design innovations to reduce plastic waste. McCormick's plastic spice bottles have been reformulated to be made partly with recycled content, resulting in an 18% to 23% smaller carbon footprint.
The company has also committed to eliminating problematic plastics, such as PVC, from its products and adopting more renewable materials. McCormick is considering the use of bio-based PET and plant-based PE for its packaging. Additionally, McCormick aims for 80% recycling and recovery of solid waste from its facilities.
McCormick's efforts to make its plastic containers recyclable and BPA-free are part of its broader sustainability agenda, which includes preventing food waste, guaranteeing high-quality standards, and curbing its carbon footprint. The company's commitment to sustainability and recyclable packaging contributes to its overall goal of reducing its environmental impact.
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How to identify BPA-free plastics
McCormick & Co. has committed to eliminating all BPA from its packaging by the end of 2018. The company has switched from tin to PET (polyethylene terephthalate) for its Old Bay and Black Pepper products, reducing CO2 emissions by 16%. This switch to PET packaging is due to its proven sustainable nature, which includes 100% recyclability.
Now, here's how you can identify if a plastic product is BPA-free:
BPA, or Bisphenol A, is a chemical used to harden plastics and make them shatterproof. It is found in a wide range of plastic products, including food storage containers and reusable water bottles. Exposure to BPA can potentially affect the brain and the prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children, and it might increase blood pressure.
To identify if a plastic product is BPA-free, you can follow these steps:
- Check the label: Look for a label that specifically states "BPA-free." This indicates that the manufacturer has not used Bisphenol A in the production of the plastic item.
- Check the recycling codes: Look for a number between 1 and 7 inside a triangle made of three arrows. Items marked with a 1, 2, 4, or 5 generally do not contain BPA. Numbers 3, 6, or 7 indicate a higher likelihood of BPA presence.
- Consider the type of plastic: Opaque plastics are typically BPA-free. If the plastic is hard, clear (or clear-tinted), and unbreakable, it is more likely to contain BPA. Polycarbonate plastics, which are known for their durability and clarity, often contain BPA and are usually marked with a number 7.
- Check for labels indicating special care instructions: If a container is labelled "handwash only," it is likely made of acrylic and is BPA-free. Containers labelled as microwave-safe or unbreakable may contain BPA.
- Discard older plastics: Older plastic products are less likely to have identifying labels, and scratches, wear and tear, and repeated heat exposure can increase the release of BPA. It is recommended to discard older, well-used products that may contain BPA.
- Choose alternative materials: The safest way to avoid BPA is to choose non-plastic food and beverage containers. Materials such as glass, ceramic, and stainless steel are safe alternatives that do not contain harmful chemicals.
While choosing BPA-free plastics can reduce your exposure to this particular chemical, it is important to recognize that other chemicals may be used in their place. These alternative chemicals may also have potential health risks, so it is always a good idea to reduce plastic usage and opt for safer alternatives whenever possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, McCormick's plastic containers are BPA-free. The company committed to eliminating all BPA from its packaging by the end of 2018.
McCormick switched from metal to plastic containers to make them more environmentally friendly and reduce carbon emissions by 16%.
You can assume that opaque plastics are BPA-free. For clear plastics, look for a recycling number—polycarbonate plastics containing BPA will have a number 7 on them. Containers labelled “unbreakable” or “microwave-safe" likely contain BPA.
BPA (bisphenol-a) is found in polycarbonate plastics, which are hard and clear. BPA exposure may affect the brain and the prostate gland of fetuses, infants, and children, and it could increase blood pressure.
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