PepsiCo: ‘More than half of the bottles and cans consumed in the US aren’t recycled’

Figures from the American Beverage Association show the US beverage container recycling rate is 42%.

Plans to increase the US beverage recycling rate to 50% by 2018

As a result, PepsiCo has launched a social media campaign called #RecycleforNature as part of its Recycle for Nature program to increase the US beverage recycling rate to 50% by 2018.

"What Pepsi is doing shows how big corporations are increasingly taking a holistic approach to environmental issues, covering reduction of energy, water and materials, recovering value from waste and keeping the environment clean," Jane Bickerstaffe, director INCPEN, told FoodProductionDaily.

Ronan Stafford, senior analyst, Canadean, said a 2015 Canadean survey found 57% of European consumers are concerned about recycling, 67% are concerned about water pollution, and 56% are concerned about landfills.

"This closely matches consumer attitudes in the US, where a similar share of consumers are concerned about these issues," he said.​

This reflects the success of environmental groups in making consumers aware of the impact packaging can have on the environment. However, the problem is actually convincing consumers to change their behaviour, and awareness isn’t enough. ​

"While PepsiCo’s efforts re to be commended, the most successful recycling initiatives are those backed by monetary incentives and government policy, as shown in countries like Switzerland and Germany."​

For every one point increase in the US beverage container recycling rate each year, PepsiCo will make an additional donation to The Nature Conservancy.

As part of the campaign, PepsiCo Recycling has partnered with actress Malin Akerman asking consumers to post nature photos from the outdoor moments they enjoy the most – hiking, kayaking, lakeside lounging, on their social media accounts using the hashtag #RecycleforNature to raise awareness of recycling.

“We’re excited to be working with Malin Akerman and The Nature Conservancy on #RecycleforNature and to give people a fun way to celebrate their passion for nature and highlight the importance of recycling and water conservation​,” said Meagan Smith, program director, PepsiCo Recycling.

“We all have a connection to nature, and we want to show that the simple act of recycling can have a big impact on the moments we enjoy in the outdoors and on the environment around us​.”

The Nature Conservancy

PepsiCo and The Nature Conservancy’s goal is to save and restore one billion gallons of water in watersheds that serve more than 35 million people across nine states in major cities, including: Albuquerque, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City and more.

Since 2010, PepsiCo has added more than 5,000 recycling systems across North America through recycling programs in more than 41 states.

In 2013, PepsiCo invested in support for the operation and delivery of its recycling programs, increasing the total amount of material recycled to more than 18 million pounds and 324 million containers since 2010.