Jumbo, the second largest supermarket chain in the Netherlands, now uses 30 % recycled plastic in frying oil bottles. This initiative is part of Verpact's Delta Plan to promote the circular economy.
The recycling markets are under pressure: cheap virgin material is flooding the market, while the use of recycled plastic is stagnating. As a result, recyclers are facing increasing difficulties. To counteract this development, Verpact initiated the Deltaplan Circulaire Plastic Verpakkingen in the summer of 2025. This programme aims to strengthen the circular economy and promote the use of recycled plastic.
One concrete example of the implementation of the Delta Plan is the collaboration between Verpact and Jumbo Supermarkten. From now on, Jumbo 30 % 3-litre frying oil bottles will contain recycled plastic. The first batch of these bottles is already on its way to supermarkets. This partnership shows how cooperation between different players in the packaging chain can make a significant contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions.
Hester Klein Lankhorst, CEO of Verpact, emphasises the importance of the collaboration: „We started pioneering last year and can now present the first major partnership with a retailer. The Delta plan shows what is possible when partners are willing to work together and overcome obstacles.“
Challenges facing the recycling industry
Despite the successes, there are still challenges. Many companies want to use more recycled plastic, but face hurdles such as unreliable recycling streams and quality concerns. The Deltaplan Circulaire Plastic Verpakkingen offers solutions by introducing the Circulaire Plastic Bank, which brings together demand and supply, as well as tariff differentiations that promote the use of recycled plastic.
Marjolein Verkerk, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Jumbo, explains: „We are increasingly choosing packaging that is more recyclable. By using recycled plastic in our frying oil bottles, we not only achieve a significant environmental impact, but also help our customers to make more sustainable choices.“
Future prospects
The Verpact and Jumbo initiative serves as a model for the entire industry. The Delta Plan approaches are also transferable to other product lines and companies. From 2030, strict EU requirements for the proportion of recycled plastic in packaging will apply as part of the PPWR, which further emphasises the importance of such initiatives.
Source: Verpact
