Green Century Funds also reached an agreement to withdraw a resolution at PepsiCo after the company agreed to report on its progress towards increasing reusable packaging options. PepsiCo said it would provide a report on its reusable packaging efforts by the end of 2022.
MacKerron noted that there is growing interest in reusable packaging from companies and investors, but it can be challenging due to the need for infrastructure and behavior change. However, he sees potential in refillable models and partnerships with retail and e-commerce companies to make it more accessible and convenient for consumers.
Recycling
While recycling is a well-established concept, there are ongoing challenges in the industry that make it difficult for companies to meet their goals. As You Sow has proposed resolutions at several companies to push them to increase their use of recycled content in packaging.
“Recycling is a critical part of the solution,” said MacKerron. “But we need to see the materials actually being used. It’s not enough to just get them collected and sorted, we need to see them recycled and turned into new products.”
He noted that there is often a lack of demand for recycled materials, which can be addressed by companies committing to using more recycled content in their packaging. This can help create a market for recycled materials and drive investment in recycling infrastructure.
Overall, shareholder resolutions targeting packaging usage are becoming more common as investors and advocacy groups push companies to take greater responsibility for their environmental impact. Companies are facing increasing pressure to address issues such as plastic pollution, recycling, and reusable packaging as consumers and regulators demand more sustainable practices.
As the packaging industry continues to evolve, companies will need to adapt and innovate to meet these challenges and stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. By listening to shareholder concerns and working towards more sustainable packaging solutions, companies can build trust with consumers and investors while also contributing to a healthier planet for future generations.
, focusing on the various resolutions being proposed by shareholder advocacy groups targeting packaging usage by CPG, food service, and hotel companies. The article discusses the specific focus on plastic packaging, flexibles, reusable packaging, and recycling initiatives.
Shareholder advocacy groups have been targeting packaging usage by companies for years, with a particular emphasis on plastic packaging. This year, the focus has expanded to include categories such as flexible and reusable packaging. Companies have the option to challenge these resolutions with the Securities and Exchange Commission, but several proposals have already made it through for potential shareholder votes. Some groups have also reached agreements with companies to withdraw proposals after commitments were made.
As You Sow, a shareholder advocacy group, has made flexibles a focal point this year following the lack of progress on 2025 plastics targets set by industry groups. The group is calling on companies to develop reports on the risks associated with non-recyclable packaging, evaluate alternatives, and collaborate with peers on reusable packaging solutions. Companies like PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz have recommended that shareholders vote against these proposals, citing challenges in recycling flexibles and their involvement in voluntary recycling initiatives and compostable packaging.
Reuse of packaging is also a key focus for shareholder advocacy groups, with calls for greater adoption of reusable packaging. Companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo have faced criticism for walking back on their reusable packaging goals, but agreements have been reached with advocacy groups to report on their progress towards increasing reusable packaging options. There is growing interest in refillable models and partnerships with retail and e-commerce companies to make reusable packaging more accessible to consumers.
Recycling remains a critical part of the sustainability equation, but challenges persist in the industry. As You Sow has proposed resolutions at several companies to push them to increase their use of recycled content in packaging. The lack of demand for recycled materials is a key issue that companies can address by committing to using more recycled content in their packaging, creating a market for recycled materials and driving investment in recycling infrastructure.
Overall, shareholder resolutions targeting packaging usage are on the rise as investors and advocacy groups push companies to take greater responsibility for their environmental impact. Companies are under increasing pressure to address issues such as plastic pollution, recycling, and reusable packaging to meet consumer and regulatory demands for more sustainable practices. Adapting and innovating in the packaging industry will be crucial for companies to stay competitive and build trust with consumers and investors while contributing to a healthier planet. Green Century, an environmentally focused investment fund, recently made significant progress in promoting sustainability initiatives with major companies. In a recent announcement, Green Century revealed a groundbreaking agreement with Coca-Cola, one of the largest beverage companies in the world. The agreement outlined Coca-Cola’s commitment to increasing the use of glass bottles, a more sustainable packaging option, in its operations.
According to Green Century’s spokesperson, Jane Hughes, glass bottles accounted for 1.6 billion unit cases in Coca-Cola’s overall volume during 2024. What was particularly notable was the growth rate of glass bottles, which outpaced the company’s overall volume. This shift towards glass bottles aligns with Coca-Cola’s sustainability goals to reduce plastic waste and promote environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
Green Century also announced a similar agreement with Starbucks, another industry giant known for its coffee products. Starbucks agreed to share actions and plans to increase the adoption of reusable cups by early 2026. The coffee chain has already implemented initiatives to encourage the use of reusable ceramic mugs in stores and has participated in various trial programs aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste.
The focus on recyclability labeling and pledges was another key theme highlighted in Green Century’s recent initiatives. Starbucks, as part of the agreement, agreed to internally assess customer-facing recyclability claims and remove any misleading labels in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s Green Guides. Additionally, Green Century reached an agreement with Sealed Air, a packaging company, to phase out the use of “store drop-off” recycling labels by the end of the year. Sealed Air also committed to disclosing its total plastic and fiber footprint by 2026, along with investments in non-plastic packaging options.
In a separate move, nonprofit organization The Last Beach Cleanup targeted Kraft Heinz with a proposal to issue a report including the factual basis for legitimacy of all recyclability and recycled content claims on plastic packaging. Similarly, the organization filed a proposal directed at Mondelēz, asking for a report on the legitimacy of all recycled content claims made on plastic packaging. These actions reflect a growing emphasis on transparency and accountability in the packaging industry.
Overall, Green Century’s efforts to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility in partnership with major corporations like Coca-Cola and Starbucks mark a significant step towards a more sustainable future. By encouraging the adoption of reusable and eco-friendly packaging solutions, these initiatives aim to reduce plastic waste and promote a more circular economy.
