Pepsi Pushes Back Sustainable Packaging Goals

PepsiCo has significantly scaled back its sustainable packaging goals, including targets for virgin plastic reduction and increased recycled content usage.

The company acknowledges progress towards some sustainable agriculture goals, but cites “external realities” as the driving factor for slowing advancement in sustainable packaging.
The company acknowledges progress towards some sustainable agriculture goals, but cites “external realities” as the driving factor for slowing advancement in sustainable packaging.
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PepsiCo has scaled back its sustainable packaging targets and adjusted other sustainability goals in its PepsiCo Positive (pep+) initiative, according to a recent statement. The company acknowledges progress towards some sustainable agriculture goals, but cites “external realities” as the driving factor for slowing advancement in sustainable packaging. 

The company wasn’t specific as to what those realities are, but scarcity of PCR/PIR and food-grade recycled material is likely part of the issue due to poor U.S. recycling habits.

At the end of 2024, Coca-Cola similarly adjusted its voluntary environmental goals, extending its timeline to 2035. It’s not just Coca-Cola. Nestlé and other Consumer Packaged Goods brands are also scaling back sustainability goals.PepsiCo is now following suit.

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