PepsiCo has unveiled a goal to double its zero-waste packaging by 2030 as part of a previous agreement with As You Sow.
The multinational food and drink company intends to increase the percentage of its total beverage servings delivered through reusable models from 10% to 20% over the next eight years.
The pledge was made in response to a shareholder proposal filed by non-profit foundation As You Sow, asking the company to take action to reduce dependence on single-use plastic packaging, with a suggested focus on setting stronger refillables.
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Following the filing of a similar proposal with The Coca-Cola Company, Coke agreed in February to set a goal to increase the share of its beverages delivered in returnable/refillable containers from a current 16% to 25% of beverages by volume in refillables by 2030.
In March, PepsiCo agreed to set a goal by the end of 2022 for a percentage of beverages to be delivered via strategies that avoid or minimize single-use packaging.
According to them, refillables have “demonstrated the ability to substantially cut plastic waste” and in some markets achieve collection rates of 90% or more.
“We commend Pepsi for making this commitment,” senior vice president of As You Sow, Conrad MacKerron said.
He added: “We are pleased to have obtained significant commitments this year on boosting reuse/refill models from the two dominant global soft drink beverage companies whose packaging has been identified as a major contributor to global plastic pollution.”
“It is too soon to be able to judge impact, but we hope that both companies prioritize substantial cuts in the number of single-use packages they place on the market as part of these efforts,” MacKerron said.
The news comes as PepsiCo opens its first UK oat testing research lab to help growers boost yields and build future resilience of oat production.
