DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Mondelez International has vowed to make 100% of its packaging recyclable within the next seven years. This initiative supports the company’s long-term vision for zero-net waste packaging and reusing materials after they’ve ceased, which is known as a "circular economy."
The confectioner will provide circular economy guidelines to packaging developers, set recycling priorities and identify hazardous materials by 2025. Additionally, the company aims to make all paper-based packaging sustainably sourced by 2020. Mondelez will also provide recycling information to consumers and use industry partnerships to develop its waste-management infrastructure during this time.
“As the global snacking leader, we’re committing to using sustainably sourced materials and recyclable packaging as part of our active contribution to reduce packaging waste and establish a circular economy for packaging,” said Rob Hargrove, executive vice president of research, development, quality and innovation for Mondelez. “Plastic waste and its impact on the planet is a broad, systemic issue that our consumers care deeply about, and which requires a holistic response. Together with partners from across the industry, as well as public and private entities, we can help to develop practical solutions that result in a positive environmental impact.”
Mondelez is wasting no time. Three-quarters of its packaging are already made of glass, paper or metal, and about 70% of its paper-based packaging is from recycled sources. Most recently, Mondelez thinned the packing for Oreos in the United States by 23%, eliminating nearly 1.5 million kilograms of Oreo cartons annually. Overall, the company has removed 53.5 million kilograms of packaging material since 2013.
In September, Mondelez coined its new mantra, “Snacking Made Right,” and committed to offering an array of snacks that feature sustainably sourced ingredients. Weeks later, the company partnered with 7-Eleven and launched its new Sour Patch Kids Zombie candies for Halloween.
Deerfield, Ill.-based Mondelez operates in 160 countries with about $26 billion in net revenue in 2017. The company’s products include Sour Patch Kids, BelVita, Chips Ahoy, Oreo, Nabisco, Cadbury, Jacobs coffee, Tang powdered beverages and Trident gum.
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