As squeeze bottles continue to gain traction in the olive oil aisle, Deoleo brand Bertolli is pairing format innovation with a material shift: the Dress & Drizz extra-virgin olive oil bottle is made from 100% recycled PET (rPET), marking another step in the brand’s broader sustainability strategy.
According to Jose Maria Zamora Rica, global sustainability leader at Bertolli, the rPET used for Dress & Drizz is sourced through tightly controlled channels—the company didn’t disclose suppliers.
“The rPET used for Dress & Drizz is sourced exclusively from EU-authorized facilities. We partner with a trusted supplier who holds a favorable scientific opinion and oversees the entire bottle-blowing process using recycled PET,” he says.
From a performance standpoint, the company says the move to rPET did not compromise functionality. “Functionally, rPET performs very similarly to virgin PET in core properties such as mechanical strength, clarity, and barrier performance,” Zamora says. While slight variations can occur depending on feedstock quality and recycling processes, he notes that suppliers carefully select high-quality rPET flakes and optimize preform and blowing parameters to ensure final bottle performance remains aligned with virgin PET standards.
On the manufacturing floor, the transition required minimal disruption. “No new equipment was needed. Our existing lines were already compatible with the switch to rPET,” Zamora says. That includes filling, capping, labeling, and case packing operations.
The Dress & Drizz package itself represents a clean-sheet design rather than a retrofit. “The shape was developed specifically for this launch. We wanted to deliver a clear upgrade versus what was already available on shelf in this format,” says Zamora. The new silhouette, which features textured sidewalls and a controlled-flow nozzle, did require new tooling. “Yes, the new silhouette required a new mold,” they add.
Consumer usability was validated through testing before launch. “We conducted consumer testing to ensure the design addressed real usage needs, confirming improvements in grip, control, and dosing precision,” he says.
On the shelf, sustainability messaging is made explicit. “We communicate the 100% rPET claim clearly on the front label, and we reinforce it through marketing campaigns, our website, and ecommerce assets,” says Zamora. To support proper end-of-life handling, Bertolli also aims to guide consumers through clear labeling.
“Our labeling clearly indicates which components are made from recycled materials and specifies any parts that are not, helping consumers recycle each component correctly,” he adds.
The bottle itself is designed to remain within existing recycling streams. “rPET (recycled PET) bottles are widely accepted within today’s U.S. municipal recycling systems, particularly in applications such as beverage bottles, food bottles (sauces, dressings, oils, etc.), and clear plastic containers,” says Zamora. The company acknowledges, however, that acceptance can vary locally depending on residue concerns and program-specific rules. Recycling acceptance can vary by municipality due to factors such as oil residue remaining in bottles, differences in caps-on vs. caps-off requirements, and whether recycling rules are set at the city or county level rather than statewide, according to Zamora.
Dress & Drizz is not Bertolli’s first use of recycled content, and it won’t be the last. “rPET is already used across our Bertolli Organic Olive Oil range, our Sustainably Sourced proposition, and our 2L formats,” Zamora says. “Our long-term goal is to transition our entire PET portfolio to 100% rPET.”
While rPET can carry a cost premium, the brand says consumers won’t see that reflected on shelf. “We view the shift to rPET as a long-term sustainability commitment rather than a cost passed on to consumers,” says Zamora. “Although recycled materials can be more expensive, we have made a deliberate choice not to reflect that cost on shelf.”
At the corporate level, the packaging move aligns with Deoleo’s broader sustainability framework. “Our sustainability purpose, ‘Caring for what cares for you,’ guides our long-term vision,” concludes Zamora, pointing to a strategy built around sustainable agriculture, operational stewardship, and responsible business practices.
