PepsiCo to cut plastic use, launch plant-based snacks in green push

As the necessity for actions that tackle climate change intensifies, PepsiCo has announced that it will reduce the use of virgin plastic and expand its business of SodaStream carbonated water to more markets, however, some environmental groups want the company to do more.

As part of a new initiative named "pep+", the company stated that it was intending to limit virgin plastic use by half around all its brands by 2030 and use 50% recycled material in all its plastic packaging.

It also aims to emphasize healthy food by introducing plant-based protein snacks with Beyond Meat Inc. The food & beverage giant is aiming in early 2022 for its first Beyond Meat products, as mentioned by Chief Executive Ramon Laguarta.

The moves come as PepsiCo and rival Coca-Cola are being targeted for global activism due to the massive single-use plastic waste generated by them. The companies have also been included on the list of NGO Break Free From Plastic's "top global polluters" for the past three years.

According to Greenpeace, PepsiCo makes use of 2.3 million metric tonnes of plastic each year, while Coca-Cola accounts for over 100 billion bottles of single-use plastic. In this context, PepsiCo intends to make 100% of its packaging recyclable, compostable or degradable by 2025.

The global project leader at Greenpeace USA, Graham Forbes, mentioned that there is a lot of focus on recycling for a company that is constantly ranked among one of the world's worst plastic polluters. The company needs to determine elaborate goals for reuse/refill for all products and brands, he added.

PepsiCo's ambitious plan of action on plastics also involves expanding its SodaStream business worldwide. SodaStream, which was acquired by PepsiCo in 2018, makes refillable cylinders and machines that allow users to make their sodas or carbonated water drinks at home.

The brand, which is present in 40 countries, will introduce new flavors into 23 additional markets and launch its new SodaStream Professional platform intended for businesses in 10 more markets by 2022.

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https://finance.yahoo.com/news/1-pepsico-reduce-plastic-launch-212005057.html