Page 45 - Plastics News November 2025
P. 45
BUSINESS NEWS
mains slow. PepsiCo used 10% PCR in 2023, up
from 7% in 2022 and 6% in 2021. By contrast,
data from California shows its bottles averaged
36% PCR in 2024, highlighting uneven progress
across regions. The company also ended its goal
to deliver 20% of beverage servings in reusable
packaging by 2030. It will continue reuse pro-
jects but only as part of its broader design-for-
recyclability strategy.
In 2023, Walmart sent 210 million pounds of materials in
MRBs across their U.S. operations for recycling. Courtesy PepsiCo cites multiple barriers. These include
of Walmart.
fragmented regulations, supply shortages, and
more than virgin resin and remains difficult to high PCR costs. For example, India only ap-
source at scale. Currently, 81% of own-brand proved rPET in food packaging this year, while
plastic packaging is designed for recycling, and China still bans it in food-grade applications. De-
92% of U.S. supplier sales carry How2Recycle la- spite setbacks, PepsiCo supports initiatives like
bels. Yet, 40% of Americans still lack recycling Every Bottle Back and Circular Action Alliance to
access, and $17 billion investment is needed to expand recycling infrastructure. It also continues
close the gap. to design packaging for recovery, though it nar-
rowly missed its 2025 goal of 100% recoverable
In 2023, Walmart sent 210 million pounds of ma- or reusable packaging, achieving 98%.
terials in MRBs across their U.S. operations for
recycling. Courtesy of Walmart.
The company continues to cut plastic intensity
per sales dollar and diverted 83.5% of opera-
tional waste in 2023. However, executives warn
systemic barriers such as limited infrastructure,
fragmented policies and consumer behavior
block deeper progress.
PepsiCo
PepsiCo has revised its packaging goals, nar- MAX bottles displaying the 100% recycled logo
rowing its focus to key markets that account for in Spain. Courtesy of PepsiCo.
80% of its plastic use. The company dropped its
global target of 50% recycled content by 2030. The company admits challenges remain but in-
Instead, it now aims for 40% or more recycled sists its refined goals are still ambitious. Execu-
content in those markets by 2035. Global pro- tives stress that large-scale progress requires
gress on post-consumer recycled plastic re- investment, innovation, and cross-sector col-
laboration.
November 2025 PLASTICS NEWS 45
