Campbell’s and Ahold Delhaize revealed substantial obstacles preventing the brands from expanding post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in packaging, according to a panel discussion at the Packaging Recycling Summit in June 2026, as reported by Food Dive. Despite stated commitments to increase PCR usage, material availability, food safety concerns, and consumer perception barriers have stalled momentum toward incorporating higher recycled content percentages across product lines.
Material sourcing represents a primary challenge, particularly for food-grade PCR materials. Ahold Delhaize, whose own-brand portfolio comprises approximately 80-90% food products, faces constraints when attempting to source food-grade PCR at scale, according to Food Dive’s reporting. Campbell’s, whose entire portfolio consists of food products, encountered similar sourcing difficulties.
“When you go to polyolefins, that is where the contamination is a great risk,” according to comments from Ahold Delhaize representatives reported by Food Dive. “I have worked with a lot of PCR suppliers, and they do have challenges on making it food grade so there’s no chemical taste that will be imparted to the product.”
New Jersey regulations drive compliance focus
New Jersey’s PCR mandate represents the most comprehensive state requirement, covering not just beverage containers but also numerous food containers. The broader scope distinguishes New Jersey from other states with PCR requirements limited to specific categories, according to Food Dive’s reporting.
Campbell’s strategic response involves cross-category coordination rather than siloed approaches, according to the company’s representatives. “Rather than category teams looking at their category packaging and focusing on the very siloed approach, we’ve had to shift focus a little bit and take a step back and look at it strategically,” the company stated.
Ahold Delhaize examines which products move fastest while prioritizing items with heaviest plastic packaging use to optimize compliance strategies with New Jersey’s aggregate average requirements.
Technical barriers in food manufacturing
Hot-fill products and items subjected to retort processing present particular technical challenges for PCR incorporation, Food Dive reported. Campbell’s identified microwaveable soup cups as especially problematic, as the high-stress retort process causes package degradation that PCR materials struggle to withstand.
Ready-to-eat meals in polypropylene trays presented limited PCR options. When developing a new product, the company faced only two choices from packaging suppliers: a clear PP tray with no PCR or a black PP tray with 25% PCR content. The company ultimately selected the 25% PCR option despite black plastic’s recycling challenges, while working with suppliers to identify future fiber alternatives.
PET remains the preferred resin for PCR incorporation due to superior performance in balancing recycled content with quality control, according to Food Dive’s coverage. Campbell’s noted that polyolefins present contamination risks that could affect sensory qualities — color, odor, and flavor — critical factors for consumer acceptance.
