Ellen MacArthur Foundation Releases First Progress Report on Recycled Plastic Use

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Ellen MacArthur Foundation released its first progress report for the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment launched in 2018 in collaboration with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The report provides updates on progress reported during the previous year by leading participating companies on global plastic packaging commitments.

The report noted that Coca-Cola has reported substantial progress in use of recycled plastic in their plastic packaging, compared to many of its peers. The post-consumer plastic content in the company’s packaging was 9% in 2018. It must be noted that the company has committed to use recycled plastic in 50% of its primary packaging by 2030.

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PepsiCo reported 3% post-consumer plastic content across its packaging in 2018, as against the 2025 target of 25%. Nestle had 2% post-consumer content in its plastic packaging in 2018, whereas it aims to have 15% by 2025. Unilever’s post-consumer plastic content was less than 1% in the previous year, suggesting that the company has a long way to meet its goal of 25% by 2025. L’Oreal, with recycled plastic content at 5%, aims to achieve 40% by 2025. Meantime, Mars had 0% post-consumer plastic content in its packaging, even while aiming for 30% by 2025.

Andrew Morlet, CEO, Ellen MacArthur Foundation noted that continued scaling of action and a further increase in ambition level will be required for companies to reach their declared targets.