Square juice bottles, canned wine: Why your food packaging is getting smarter
January 11, 2026 — 4:22pm
The supermarket shelves are about to get a makeover, with food and drink manufacturers gearing up to revolutionize packaging. Say goodbye to traditional round juice bottles and canned wine; the future is square and slim! But why the sudden shift? Well, it's all about making our food packaging lighter, cleaner, and easier to recycle.
Australians generate a staggering 7 million tonnes of waste annually, and food manufacturers are determined to reduce this environmental impact. By innovating their packaging, they aim to cut costs, minimize waste, and stay ahead of new regulations. This isn't just about convenience; it's a strategic move that could boost sales and brand reputation.
The benefits don't stop there. More compact packaging means more units can fit on a pallet, making transportation more efficient and reducing fuel costs. It also leads to fewer broken items during stacking, a win-win for retailers and consumers.
But it's not just about the environmental impact. Michael Whitehead, ANZ head of agribusiness insights, highlights the power of packaging in influencing shopping habits. "Consumers are increasingly conscious of sustainability," he says. "Packaging is a subtle form of advertising, and it can make or break a product's appeal."
Innovation is already underway. Lighter wine bottles and cans are becoming the norm, with salad packets featuring tiny laser pinholes to keep leaves crisp and clear labels indicating proper disposal. These advancements are just the beginning.
Whitehead's Food for Thought report reveals a shift towards single-plastic types detectable by scanners, ready-made meal trays avoiding black packaging (a scanner's nemesis), and tethered caps for easier recycling. These changes can open up new markets, allowing for customized labels and QR codes to meet country-specific requirements, such as allergen and recycling information.
The wine industry, in particular, is making a significant impact. Glass bottle production accounts for about half of the wine industry's carbon footprint. Endeavour Group, operating Dan Murphy’s and BWS, is committed to reducing bottle weight through its membership in the Sustainable Wine Roundtable. By partnering with suppliers, they aim to gradually decrease the average weight of glass bottles.
Supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles are also embracing sustainability. They have set targets for circularity, aiming to use recyclable materials or recycled content. Woolworths has achieved 51% recycled content in its own-brand packaging, while most (87.6%) of Coles' own-brand packaging is recyclable.
However, the industry faces challenges due to varying food packaging laws, waste management, and single-use plastic regulations across states and territories. Sarah Collier, director of sustainability at the Australian Food & Grocery Council, emphasizes the need for a unified approach. The federal government is expected to refine its national packaging reform, setting mandatory recycled material percentages and banning toxic chemicals.
In summary, the food packaging industry is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by environmental concerns, cost-saving measures, and consumer awareness. As manufacturers adapt, we can expect a smarter, more sustainable approach to packaging, benefiting both the environment and our shopping habits.
