Müller Yogurt & Desserts shifts its Corner yogurt pots to clear plastic to cut plastic use by 50% by 2030. This change boosts rPET availability, supporting sustainability goals.
Müller Yogurt & Desserts, one of the United Kingdom’s most recognized brands in the yogurt sector, has announced a major shift towards sustainability with the conversion of its iconic white plastic yogurt pots to clear plastic. This change, which is expected to halve the environmental impact of its packaging by 2030, is part of the company’s broader sustainability strategy aimed at creating a circular economy for its packaging materials.
The transition, which began earlier in 2024, has already seen most of the Müller Corner and Müller Bliss Corner yogurt pots converted to clear plastic. The full conversion is expected to be completed by the end of 2024. These new clear pots are fully recyclable, aligning with Müller’s commitment to sustainable packaging. The move is part of Müller’s broader strategy to reduce its reliance on virgin plastic and increase the use of recycled materials in its packaging.
By switching to clear PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic, Müller will be able to increase the availability of recycled PET (rPET) in the UK by over 3,000 tonnes annually. This change not only reduces the demand for new plastic but also supports the broader recycling industry by improving the quality of recycled materials. The clear pots will be easier to recycle due to their consistency and transparency, contributing to a more effective recycling process.
Richard Williams, CEO of Müller Yogurt & Desserts, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability: “As one of the most chosen FMCG brands in Great Britain, we have the scale to deliver meaningful change towards a circular economy. The transition to clear pots is a critical step in achieving our ambitious sustainability targets, and we are proud to be leading the way in reducing plastic waste in the yogurt category.”
As part of its wider sustainability goals, Müller UK & Ireland is aiming for an average of 30% recycled content in all of its plastic packaging by 2025. The company plans to integrate recycled content into the clear Corner pots by the end of that year, further reducing its environmental footprint. The change is expected to support the growth of the Müller Corner brand, which has seen an 11% year-on-year value growth. The new clear packaging has already garnered positive feedback from consumers, with 78% of customers preferring the clear pots.
This initiative follows Müller’s earlier switch from coloured to clear milk bottle caps, which introduced 1,560 tonnes of recycled rHDPE (recycled high-density polyethylene) to the market. The clear caps, along with the new yogurt pots, are part of Müller’s ongoing commitment to reduce plastic waste, increase recyclability, and support the circular economy.
