August 25, 2024
CORPORATE ACTION: Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola Tests 'Closed Loop' Recycling at Paris Olympics
Coca-Cola successfully trialed a "closed loop" recycling system at the Paris Olympics, recycling bottles used during the Games for reuse in the Paralympics. This initiative aligns with Coca-Cola's "World Without Waste" goal to collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one it sells by 2030. The trial, which reduced the usual recycling cycle from four months to under four weeks, included 700 drink fountains offering refillable options and beverages in returnable or recycled packaging. The company is evaluating lessons from Paris for future recycling schemes, including the UK's Deposit Return Scheme currently set to launch in 2027. The new Labour government has said it aims to launch the DRS before October 2027. Coca-Cola says it supports DRS to enhance recycling rates and reduce plastic waste.[Image Credit: © Coca-Cola Europacific Partners]
CORPORATE ACTION: Colgate
Colgate-Palmolive Advances Plastic Waste Reduction And Sustainability
In FY 2023-24, Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd made notable progress in reducing plastic waste and enhancing sustainability. It transitioned 50 percent of its toothpaste portfolio to recyclable tubes and aims for 100 percent recyclability by FY 2024-25. Its third Annual & ESG report highlights these efforts alongside achieving net water positivity at three plants and a commitment to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030. Colgate’s ESG initiatives are built on their S-MIL-E strategy, focusing on social impact, home assistance and environmental preservation. [Image Credit: © Colgate-Palmolive Company]
CORPORATE ACTION: Henkel
Henkel Enhancing Packaging Sortability For Effective Recycling
Henkel and TOMRA Recycling are collaborating to improve the recyclability of packaging through enhanced sortability. Henkel has integrated TOMRA’s AUTOSORT™ system into its test laboratory. Used globally for nearly 30 years, the system employs advanced sensors to analyze the packaging material type and color, which are critical for effective sorting and recycling, in turn crucial to prevent packaging being sent for incineration.[Image Credit: © TOMRA Systems ASA]
CORPORATE ACTION: Unilever
UBL Supports Bangladesh Waste Workers During Unrest In The Country
Unilever Bangladesh has launched an emergency humanitarian initiative to assist over 2,100 waste workers from 41 wards in Chattogram, Bangladesh, amidst an ongoing unrest that has disrupted their livelihoods. Partnering with Young Power in Social Action, UBL provided financial aid to these workers starting August 1, 2024, to alleviate their financial instability. UBL has been operating Bangladesh’s largest municipal-backed plastic waste initiative since 2022, with these workers playing a crucial role. Despite the challenges, the project continues to collect plastic waste on a limited scale to sustain the workers' income. UBL says its long-standing commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and community support underscores its dedication to creating a sustainable and empowered future for Bangladesh.[Image Credit: © Unilever]
Unilever, Standard Bank Mark Mandela Day With Beach Clean
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In celebration of Mandela Day, employees from Unilever South Africa and Standard Bank helped clean the coastal area at Dakota beach. The annual clearance started four years ago, and is led by Alliance to End Plastics Waste, Inkwazi Isu and SA Health. Another group employees from Unilever and Standard Bank helped refurbish and clean rooms at the William Clark Othandweni Children and Youth Centre. [Image Credit: © Unilever]
CORPORATE ACTION: Other
Ocado Trials Refillable Packaging For Everyday Products
Ocado has launched a trial for selling everyday products in refillable packaging, aiming to reduce single-use plastic waste. Customers can purchase items such as laundry products and dry food staples in durable containers, which can be returned for refills. Ocado says each reusable container could be used 60 times or more. The trial is part of a broader trend among retailers to explore eco-friendly packaging options and could potentially lead to a wider rollout if successful. [Image Credit: © Ocado Retail Sustainability]
CAMPAIGNS, COMMITMENTS & NGOs
Reusable Cups Reduce Plastic Waste At Major Events
PepsiCo and UEFA have implemented reusable cup systems at the Champions League Finals to combat plastic waste at major sporting events. These pilots, which follow smaller projects with recycled plastic bottles, show promising results, with high return rates for cups and trays. Similar initiatives are gaining traction in other sports venues, such as Portland’s Moda Center, where reusable systems are reducing the need for disposable cups. [Image Credit: © EKM-Mittelsachsen from Pixabay]
CONSUMER & PUBLIC OPINION
Consumer Confusion Hampers Plastic Waste Reduction
A survey of 1,000 consumers across the UK by Sapio Research, commissioned by Celebration Packaging, reveals significant consumer confusion about recyclable and compostable packaging. While 68 percent of respondents believe it’s important for packaging to be certified recyclable, many struggle with correctly identifying and disposing of such materials. Only 34 percent regularly rinse and separate packaging for recycling, with younger consumers being less diligent. The findings highlight the need for clearer labeling and better consumer education to effectively reduce plastic waste.[Image Credit: © Cottonbro Studio From Pexels]
PACKAGING REDESIGNS
Companies Continue To See Lightweighting As A Key Weapon Against Plastic Waste
Lightweighting can be an effective method for reducing the environmental impact of packaging. Companies can reduce carbon emissions associated with transportation and raw material production. Henkel, for instance, has reduced the thickness of its Taft hairspray cans, saving over 15 percent in materials and water used during production. This change alone saves approximately 3,500 metric tonnes of CO2 and 900,000 cubic meters of water annually.While lightweighting offers significant benefits, it also presents certain challenges and trade-offs. One key issue is balancing the reduction in carbon footprint with the need for recyclability. PET plastic bottles have a lower carbon footprint versus glass and aluminum but can represent a higher risk of environmental pollution unless they are recycled properly.
[Image Credit: © Matthias Böckel from Pixabay]
Tethered Bottle Caps Are Irritating But Necessary
The ‘tethered’ design of new bottle caps has caused some irritation amongst consumers but they are a more environmentally friendly and healthier option than detachable lids. When lids are untethered, they are often dropped or lost, potentially blown by the wind or carried by the rain into drains or rivers that flow out into the sea. Bottle caps are among the most common forms of plastic waste found on Europe’s beaches. And even if they do get to a recycling bin and then processing plant, their diminutive size is a problem. “Caps are filtered out through sieving drums because they are too small,” explains Ross Lakhdari, a circular economy expert at PA Consulting. “Generally, any item smaller than two inches in any dimension risks being lost during this screening process.” When attached to a bottle they are less likely to be lost as waste or end up in the ocean, where they can endanger wildlife such as turtles and birds. Animals can mistake them for food [Image Credit: © Hans from Pixabay]
POLICY, REGULATION & LEGAL
New Labour Government Aims To Bring Forward UK’s DRS Scheme
In a statement at the beginning of the month, The UK’s new nature minister Mary Creagh, whose responsibilities include the circular economy, confirmed the new Labour government plans to roll out a UK-wide deposit return scheme for Polyethylene Terephthalate bottles, as well as steel and aluminum drinks cans, ahead of the October 2027 date originally proposed back in March by the previous Conservative government. This is predicted to boost the UK’s circular economy, have a substantial positive environmental impact and make UK citizens attribute greater value to the plastics and metals that they usually disposed of. [Image Credit: © Vlad Vasnetsov from Pexels]
Budweiser Budvar UK Settles Legal Dispute With The Environment Agency
After claiming it was unaware of its need to adhere to UK recycling rules and legislation, Budweiser Budvar UK contributed £414,000 to the ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ scheme, following a legal agreement with the Environment Agency. This allows them to avoid prosecution and also aids the existing renowned environmental scheme. The company says it’s now ensuring adherence to all required policies, and this instance has been a motivation for other companies in the UK to ensure that they are doing the same. Budweiser Budvar had not registered for the Producer Responsibility Obligation regulations on packaging, and it should have done so in 2004 under, which apply to products placed on the UK market regardless of whether they are made in the UK or imported. These regulations ensure that packaging makers and distributors contribute to credible waste recovery and recycling.[Image Credit: © BUDĚJOVICKÝ BUDVAR, N.P.]
DEFRA Publishes Illustrative EPR Fees
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has released initial illustrative base fees for year one of the extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme. Fees will be incurred from 1 April each year, based on packaging supplied by registered producers for the preceding calendar year. In the second year of EPR, fees will be modulated to ensure packaging materials with a lower environmental impact will be the least expensive for producers to use, Defra said. The types of packaging which will be subject to higher or lower (“modulated”) fees, and the consequential sub-categories of packaging that would need to be reported in 2025, will be released in Autumn 2024.[Image Credit: © Jens P. Raak from Pixabay]
Plastic Packaging Tax In UK Sees Revenues Fall 6% Year-On-Year
A bulletin released by The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs revealed that the Plastic Packaging Tax collected 6 percent less in the last financial year than the previous. Of the total tonnage of plastic packaging manufactured in and imported into the UK in this period, 42 percent was declared as taxable under the PPT. Of the remaining 58 percent, 11 percent was either exported, intended for export or converted and the remainder was exempt, mostly because contained 30 percent or more recycled plastic. Zoe Brimelow, a director at packaging manufacturer and consultancy Duo, said: “A reduction in second year PPT revenues may indicate a shift towards more recycled-content plastic packaging, but we still need more context to properly understand this and the effectiveness of the tax.” [Image Credit: © Stefan Schweihofer from Pixabay]
UK Reviews Plastic Waste Reduction With DRS Reforms
The UK Government is reviewing packaging reforms, focusing on the Deposit Return Scheme to reduce plastic waste. The scheme, which incentivizes recycling of plastic bottles and cans, had been pushed back to 2027 by the previous Conservative Government. While many support the DRS, debates continue over whether to include glass containers due to cost and complexity concerns. The government aims to accelerate progress toward a zero-waste economy, but the effectiveness of these measures will depend on the details and implementation.[Image Credit: © Magda Ehlers from Pexels]
INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY
New Refillable Innovations Underscore Moves Towards Reuse
As the reusable and refillable market continues to offer innovations across categories, the range of formats includes cartons, pouches, glass jars and plastic containers. A new refillable cleaning wipes brand, Biom, has launched at Target as part of the US retailer’s initiative to introduce more sustainable products. Biom’s reusable dispenser comes in neutral colors and the biodegradable wipes are available in refill packs for around $7. These wipes, made without polyester or polypropylene, offer a convenient, clutter-free alternative to traditional brands. French luxury house Hermès has introduced vibrant, refillable glass bottles for its Le Bain personal care collection, an initiative that is part of Hermès’ broader effort to combine luxury with sustainability. GAIA Skincare, a female-founded spa and skincare brand from the UK has launched a new refillable amenity range with a focus on sustainability. These large brand movements hopefully demonstrate a move to more sustainable consumer beauty products. [Image Credit: © PRFoto and biom]
RESEARCH
France Failing In Face Of Challenges To Reduce Plastic Waste
A recent report reveals that France is significantly lagging in meeting its recycling targets, particularly in reducing plastic waste, and will have to pay the EU €1.6 billion in fines for recycling just 23 percent of its plastic waste versus its target of 40 percent. Despite efforts to enhance waste management and promote circular economy practices, France's progress remains slow compared to other European nations. The report highlights the urgent need for more effective policies and infrastructure improvements to address the growing plastic waste crisis. In 2021, France recycled 8.5kg of plastic per capita; Germany managed almost 20kg and Ireland 20.7kg.[Image Credit: © Mali Maeder from Pexels]
Nature Benchmark Gauges How Much Companies Assess Their Impact On Nature
Nature Benchmark from The World Benchmarking Alliance looks at how over 800 major companies from many different sectors are impacting nature, using data from 2022 to 2024. It found just 5 percent have assessed their impact and fewer than one in 10 have looked at their dependence on nature. On plastic, 43 percent provide evidence of plastic reduction but only 19 percent also provide the metrics to back up their claims. Overall performance is low, averaging 15 from 100. The best industries were Personal & Household Products, averaging 26, and Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology at 20. Companies in the two sectors were more likely to publish sustainability reports. Public companies performed better than privately-owned companies.[Image Credit: © World Benchmarking Alliance]
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