In 2020, dozens of major companies joined the U.S. Plastics Pact, signaling a commitment to minimizing plastic waste. Their goals included phasing out plastic straws, cutlery and intentionally-added PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals”; recycling or composting half of their plastic packaging; and making sure 100% of plastic packaging would be reusable, recyclable or compostable—all by 2025.
Signatories include major brands like General Mills, Nestlé, Kraft Heinz and Coca-Cola, the largest known contributor to global branded plastic waste. Retailers like Walmart and Target and packaging and materials suppliers also signed.
Now, with the 2025 deadline close at hand, the U.S. Plastics Pact has pushed back to 2030 many of the target dates, writes The Wall Street Journal (June 11, 2024). It is not the first time companies have pushed back timelines for aggressive recycling targets. Coca-Cola and Nestlé both made public promises as far back as 2007 that didn’t come to fruition.
Today, less than 10% of plastic waste in the U.S. is recycled annually. While companies frequently tout pilot projects for plant-based plastics or paper bottles, the problem is expected to get worse in the future. Companies had hoped to collectively hit 100% reusable, recycled and compostable packaging by 2025, but the numbers remained below 50%. As for the target aimed at eliminating “problematic and unnecessary materials” including cutlery and plastic straws, not a single one of 11 materials singled out for elimination was confirmed for across-the-board removal in time for the deadline.
Three of the five targets outlined in the new road map are very similar to the 2020 version. Commitments to recycle 50% of plastic packaging, produce 100% recyclable packaging and use 30% recycled content in packaging have been pushed to 2030. Some companies cited an unrealistic time frame and potential increased costs as reasons why deadlines are being missed.
Classroom discussion questions:
- How can alternative product designs help meet the U.S. Plastic Pact goals?
- What international quality standards relate to sustainability? (See Supp. 5 in your Heizer/Render/Munson text).