virgin plastic

The pandemic brought up climate change and environment to historical levels among the Gen Z and millennial list of concerns. According to the "Deloitte Millennial Survey 2020", protecting the Earth clearly appears as the top priority for these generations, which were surveyed in 13 countries around the world. And most of them said they intend to continue changing their daily, personal routines with an eye toward improving the planet. For instance, two-thirds (64%) said they are cutting back on single-use plastic and recycling more.

According to Unilever, the move will see the brand use 93% less plastic per pack compared to the previous Carte D’Or packaging, corresponding to annual savings of around 900 tonnes of virgin plastic.

The paper used in the tub and lid is reportedly sustainably sourced and is PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) approved. Unilever adds that the tub and lid can be rinsed and then put into normal household paper recycling streams.

Kraft Heinz Co. told non-profit group As You Sow the company will set a virgin plastic reduction goal within a year. In response, the non-profit group has agreed to withdraw a shareholder proposal seeking a report on how the company would reduce the use of plastic packaging.

In response to a request for comment, Kraft Heinz issued a statement by Jonah Smith, global lead of environmental social governance at the company.

This saving on plastic use is a win for the environment and Nestlé Professional’s customers as the company moves towards its goal of reducing virgin plastics by one third by 2025. 

“This clever packaging redesign of the popular MAGGI Professional range of 7-8kg gravies and boosters demonstrates how relatively small changes can make a big difference,” Nestlé Professional Oceania general manager Scott Stuckmann said. 

In September, snacks and beverage giant PepsiCo announced its latest sustainability programme, PepsiCo Positive (Pep+). The “fundamental transformation of what we do and how we do it”, as CEO Ramon Laguarta described the ‘end-to-end’ initiative, featured plans to make its packaging more sustainable.

These bottles will be made from 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic and will use 100% biodegradable actives in their formulation.

This move came after HUL saw a rise in the plastic footprint of its brand Surf Excel Matic Liquid, which was launched in 2016.

As part of the initiative, HUL has partnered with Banyan Nation to reduce the net plastic generated and create bottles that are less dependent on virgin plastic.

• Colgate-Palmolive's recyclable toothpaste tubes to hit the shelves this month.
• The brand also commits to a 100% recyclable oral care portfolio in India in the coming years.

Launching the initiative in partnership with EPL Limited (Formerly known as Essel Propack Limited), Colgate is manufacturing recyclable tubes for its Colgate Active Salt and Colgate Vedshakti toothpaste portfolio. Colgate Active Salt, combines salt with calcium and minerals to make teeth strong and gums healthy.

In May, after the filing of a shareholder proposal by As You Sow and Green Century Capital Management, Target agreed to set a virgin plastic elimination goal for its private brand packaging to be announced at a later time.