Kraft Heinz to use Polytag’s invisible UV tags to track bottle recycling

UK – Kraft Heinz has joined Polytag’s Ecotrace programme, using invisible UV tags to capture real-time data on whether its single-use plastic packaging is being recycled, starting with a pilot on Heinz Beanz and Tomato Ketchup.

John Ryan, director of packaging for Kraft Heinz’s international markets, explained that transforming squeezy ketchup bottles to become fully recyclable was a big milestone.

He added that tracking their journey post-consumption is an important next step, and the company is excited by the possibilities this partnership will unlock.

How Invisible Tags Work

Polytag’s UV tags are printed onto packaging labels using standard processes, then detected by optical sorting equipment at recycling facilities.

The tags are invisible to the naked eye but readable by specialized sensors, enabling barcode-level data collection on single-use plastics that UK households place in recycling bins.

This data gives brands unprecedented insight into their specific recycling rates.

From Pilot to Scale

The rollout begins with a pilot on select Heinz Beanz and Tomato Ketchup lines, with plans to scale across additional categories based on initial learnings.

Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, noted that the Ecotrace Programme represents a monumental effort. She explained that for the first time, they can collect barcode-level data at scale on single-use plastics that UK households recycle every day.

She added that joining the programme extends Kraft Heinz’s impact beyond its own brand to supporting the circular economy across the whole nation.

Recent Innovations from Kraft Heinz

At the start of the year, Kraft Heinz developed a fry box with a built-in ketchup compartment for on-the-go consumption.

The patent-pending Heinz Dipper aims to be simple, intuitive, and mess-free.

The Ecotrace partnership follows Polytag’s collaboration with Saica Flex and Paragon Inks to print UV tags on packaging labels for item-level recycling tracking. The labels can be chipped down or separated through flotation.

The Bottom Line

For the packaging industry, Kraft Heinz’s adoption of UV tag technology signals a growing appetite for data-driven circularity.

Knowing exactly what happens to packaging after consumers discard it allows brands to optimize design for recyclability, target educational efforts, and verify compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility reporting.

As more brands join the Ecotrace programme, the dataset will only grow more valuable, turning invisible tags into visible accountability.

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