“At Danish Crown, we have been actively working to address the challenges associated with the black plastic tray for a long time. As a modern food producer, we cannot accept that our packaging is not recycled on a large scale. In 2019, we transitioned to PET plastic, which should be recyclable. However, we must acknowledge that the current technology in sorting facilities present challenges. As a consequence, we have decided to phase out our black trays,” says Tim Ørting Jørgensen, member of the Executive Management at Danish Crown, adding: “To fulfil Danish Crown’s sustainability ambitions, it is essential that we reduce the amount of our packaging, and that the packaging we use is recyclable. While the majority of our emissions come from the farms, we simply cannot achieve our sustainability goals without also reducing our packaging.”

Black trays are often undetectable by Near-Infrared (NIR) sensors in recycling facilities and therefore end up being incinerated. The green Evolve by Faerch trays address this issue, enabling used trays to be recycled into new ones. Their often green colour enhances detectability during sorting, allowing more recycled household plastics – not just bottles – to be used. 

“The solution chosen by Danish Crown is a strong example of a highly circular system, combining a high content of recycled plastic with the ability to sort and recycle trays into new ones,” says Group CSO at Faerch, Elisabet Sandnes. 

The switch to green Evolve by Faerch trays will apply to all Danish Crown products previously packed in black meat trays in Denmark, including minced meat, sausages, and pork cuts. By 2025, Danish Crown aims for 90% of its packaging to be recyclable, moving towards their 2030 goal of recyclable packaging. 

“We truly believe that consumers will embrace the idea. It may require some adjustments, especially considering that, for so many years, people have been accustomed to meat packed in a black meat tray. However, we know from organic products, which are already presented in the green Evolve by Faerch tray that it is possible,” says Director of global strategies at Danish Crown, Malene Eriksen Vestergaard.  

Danish Crown’s shift in packaging demonstrates how innovative solutions can drive circularity, reduce waste and support sustainability.