Page 46 - Plastics News November 2025
P. 46
BUSINESS NEWS
Mars Target
Mars admits it will fall short of its 2025 pledge Target is struggling to meet its 2025 pledge to
for 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable cut virgin plastic in own-brand packaging by
packaging. Currently, 45% of its portfolio is de- 20% from 2020 levels. Instead of falling, usage
signed for recycling, but only 20% is truly recy- has risen above the baseline of 38,600 metric
clable, reusable, or compostable. Still, the com- tons, highlighting missed progress.
pany scaled recycled plastic integration, adding
14,000 metric tons of PCR in 2024 across Skit- The 2023 sustainability report cites multiple bar-
tles, Starburst, and M&M’s jars. Pet food brand riers: rising sales, affordability trade-offs, regu-
Schmackos launched 60% PCR pouches in Aus- latory pressures, and supply chain constraints.
tralia, while Whiskas cut 350 tons by shifting pots New brand categories also expanded plastic
to pouches. Mars also expanded compostable demand. These factors combined to slow pro-
paper bags for M&M’s in China. gress, despite efforts to redesign packaging and
substitute more recycled content.
Target has increased postconsumer recycled
(PCR) use in select products, and tested reduc-
tion strategies in home goods packaging. Yet,
the report acknowledges systemic obstacles.
PCR remains costly, limited in supply, and techni-
cally difficult to scale across large product lines.
Executives admit meaningful change will require
industry-wide breakthroughs in material innova-
tion and infrastructure, beyond Target’s individ-
ual efforts.
Colgate-Palmolive
M&M’S Compostable Packaging. Courtesy of Colgate-Palmolive has acknowledged it will
2025 MMS.COM. not meet its 2025 targets for recyclable, reus-
able, or compostable packaging. The company
Beyond packaging design, Mars ran pilots in bulk cites “industry-wide challenges” linked to flex-
candy dispensing, reuse shipping containers for ible packaging, which remains difficult to recy-
veterinary clinics, and creative reuse of pet food cle at scale. Colgate had pledged in 2018, under
packaging in Thailand. Executives admit infra- the Ellen MacArthur Foundation commitment,
structure gaps and high costs continue to slow that 100% of its packaging would meet circular
progress, stressing systemic collaboration is design standards by 2025. Progress has been
necessary to deliver long-term change. made, but large portions of its packaging line
are still not recyclable in practice.
46 PLASTICS NEWS November 2025
