Amcor has partnered with Australian bread manufacturer Tip Top Bakeries to introduce a new line of bread bags that contains 30% recycled plastic, aligning with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS Scheme via a mass balance approach.

This sustainable packaging initiative reportedly marks an important step for the Australian sliced bread market, aiming to reduce the use of virgin plastic.

Since last September, these bread bags have been offered across a selection of Tip Top products at major Australian retailers.

By December this year, the initiative is set to remove 160 tonnes (t) of virgin plastic from production, furthering Tip Top's commitment to sustainability.

This follows the company's earlier move to adopt 100% recycled and recyclable cardboard bread tags in 2020, which cut out 140 million pieces of single-use plastic annually.

Amcor Flexibles Asia Pacific sustainability director Richard Smith said: "At Amcor, we are dedicated to pioneering advanced packaging solutions that reduce reliance on virgin plastics while maintaining the quality and safety consumers expect.

“This partnership not only underscores Tip Top's leadership in the bakery aisle but also demonstrates the impact that collaboration across the value chain and innovation can have on driving the circular economy forward in Australia."

The ISCC PLUS Scheme certifies Amcor's production of the new Tip Top bread bags. This certification guarantees that a minimum of 30% of the plastic used in these bags is recycled while adhering to the mass balance approach.

The mass balance approach allows for the mixed tracking of recycled and virgin materials while ensuring the final product contains a specified amount of recycled content.

Tip Top Australia sales director and ESG lead Graeme Cutler said: “Tip Top is committed to feeding Australian communities in a more sustainable and responsible way, taking steps towards tackling the issue of plastic waste, while maintaining the freshness and quality of our delicious bread.

“This initiative marks a significant milestone in our partnership with packaging suppliers to help drive positive change in our industry.”