Mondelēz sets new aim to cut virgin plastic use

Mondelēz International today announced an increased commitment to reduce its use of virgin plastics in its packaging.

By 2025, the company aims for an at least 25 per cent reduction in virgin plastic use in its rigid plastic packaging or a 5 per cent reduction in virgin plastic use in its overall plastic packaging portfolio, assuming constant portfolio mix.

The firm said the target will be achieved through a combination of measures including elimination of plastic material, increased use of recycled content and the adoption of reuse models.

“Our support for a more sustainable future for plastics is clear,” said Dirk Van de Put, chairman and chief executive officer of Mondelēz International.

“Given the strong progress we’ve made in packaging, and our focus on leading a sustainable future for snacking, we’re committing to reductions in virgin plastics use and investments in innovation to remove packaging or switch to more easily recyclable materials.”

The new commitments build on the company’s existing 2025 goals to use 5 per cent recycled content by weight across its plastic packaging and to design all packaging for recyclability. Mondelēz said it has already designed 94 per cent of packaging to be recycled.

The company anticipates spending approximately $300 million (£216m) between 2019 and 2025 to fund technology, resources and recycling infrastructure that create a sustainable future for plastics.