Page 44 - Plastics News November 2025
P. 44
BUSINESS NEWS
lysts estimate $17 billion in new investment is
required to close the collection and sorting gap
nationwide. Compostable packaging faces even
greater hurdles, with few facilities able to handle
new materials at scale. Without access, techni-
cally recyclable or compostable packaging re-
mains stranded.
THE GLOBAL COMMITMENT 2024 PROGRESS
REPORT. Courtesy of Ellen MacArthur Founda-
tion.
aging goals despite progress in reducing virgin
plastic and improving recyclability. Its packag-
ing is 72% technically recyclable, but only 53% is
recycled in practice due to weak infrastructure.
The company admits early targets relied on as-
sumptions about rapid technology and system
advances that never materialized.
External shocks, including the pandemic, also
$17 billion applied to proven recycling solutions slowed refill station expansion and innovation.
will have an immediate positive impact, includ- Still, Unilever insists reducing virgin plastic re-
ing an economic benefit of $30.8 billion over 10 mains the most impactful step against pollution.
years (including wages, taxes, landfill savings, Executives stress broader collaboration is es-
and the value of recyclables). Courtesy of The sential to scale solutions and accelerate system-
Recycling Partnership. ic change across the value chain.
Unrealistic expectations have also played a role. Walmart
Many companies built strategies on assumptions
about rapid infrastructure growth, supportive Walmart expects to miss its 2025 plastic and
regulation, and technological breakthroughs. emissions goals, citing infrastructure gaps, sup-
These conditions did not materialize. ply shortages, and rising consumer demand. The
retailer pledged a 15% cut in virgin plastic for
Top Companies Revising or Missing Plastic own-brand packaging but instead reported a 6%
Targets increase. Food category growth and lack of af-
fordable recycled feedstock drove this reversal.
Unilever
Walmart notes recycled content often costs
Unilever concedes it will miss several 2025 pack-
44 PLASTICS NEWS November 2025
