Nestle has joined the likes of Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and Unilever in pledging recycling for all its packaging by 2025
Nestle has announced an ambition to make 100 per cent of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.
The firm, which owns 8,500 brands in more than 80 countries, said it will focus on eliminating non-recyclable plastics in favour of encouraging the use of plastics with better recycling rates – to avoid them ending up in landfill or as litter.
It will also eliminate or change the “complex combinations” of packaging materials, in recognition of the need for “developing a circular economy”.
Nestle UK and Ireland CEO Stefano Agostini said: “Packaging is fundamental to our business and crucial in delivering safe, high quality food to our consumers as well as reducing food waste.
“What this announcement recognises is that we need to do more to address the sustainability of the packaging we use.
“I am positive that, with a renewed focus and a clear aim for the future, we will make a difference for the planet that truly reflects Nestlé’s purpose to enhance quality of life and contribute to a healthier future.”
How Nestle will cut down on packaging waste
The multinational has revealed four methods it hopes will help it eventually achieve 100 per cent recycling rates:
- Playing an active role in the development of well-functioning collection, sorting and recycling schemes across the countries where it operates
- Working with supply chain partners and industry groups to explore different packaging solutions to reduce plastic usage, facilitate recycling and develop new approaches to eliminate plastic waste
- Labelling its plastic product packaging with recycling information to help consumers dispose of it in the right way
- Promoting a market for recycled plastics by continuing to increase the proportion of recycled plastics in its packaging
Recycling commitments of big businesses
Nestle is not the first major company to announce that it will consign non-recyclable packaging to history.
Its announcement is the latest in a positive trend towards large firms using 100 per cent recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging by 2025 or earlier.
Other examples include:
L’Oreal
The cosmetics company aims to make all of its plastic packaging “rechargeable, refillable, recyclable or compostable” by 2025.
Mars
One hundred per cent recyclability for all of the food giant’s packaging has been targeted for 2025 as part of its “Sustainable in a Generation Plan”.
M&S
Not only will Marks and Spencer packaging be 100 per cent recyclable, it will also be “widely recycled” by 2022.
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The Coca-Cola Company
Committing to 100 per cent recyclable packing by 2025, Coca-Cola is also aiming to recycle all the packaging it sells by 2030.
PepsiCo
Working to increase recycling rates by 2025, the Pepsi maker is aiming for 100 per cent of its packaging to be recyclable by the same year.
Unilever
Also targeting 100 per cent recyclability by 2025, Unilever will also publish its full “palette” of plastics materials used in its packaging by 2020 to “create a protocol” for the industry.