Mondelēz calls for greater industry collaboration to tackle plastic film pollution

06 Nov 2020 --- US food and confectionary giant Mondelēz International is calling for greater industry collaboration on plastic films recycling and reiterating its commitment to global environmental sustainability goals. Greenpeace previously been labeled the company one of Asia’s top plastic polluters.

The global food producer is drawing attention to the pollution created by plastic films and the lack of recycling infrastructure currently available in many parts of the world.

“We need concerted and collaborative action to advance recycling systems that cater to flexible films, so that more of the lightweight, multi-layer plastics used in the confectionery and snacking industries can be economically and practically collected,” says Rob Hargrove, executive vice president of R&D for Mondelēz International. 

“They can then be reprocessed, and ultimately reused, instead of ending up in the environment.” 

While the company maintains that plastic films are useful in preventing food waste, better efforts are needed to ensure the material can be reused effectively to avoid waste and pollution, it says. 

“Plastic films help keep food safe and decrease food waste, but we need to improve their recycling rates significantly,” adds Hargrove. 

He claims the solution is “to build better infrastructure so that these materials are not only designed to be recycled but actually get recycled.”Mondelēz maintains that plastic films are useful in preventing food waste.

Closed-loop recycling schemes 
Efforts to enhance plastics recycling cannot be made in isolation, Mondelēz notes.

“Tackling the challenge of plastics recyclability will require unprecedented collaboration across industries, sectors and geographies, as well as between public and private organizations,” explains Russell Dyer, chief of communications and government affairs at Mondelēz. 

As part of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a concept whereby producers and importers of products must be held accountable for the environmental impact of their dealings, Mondelēz is setting up closed-loop recycling schemes in 15 countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, the UK, Brazil, Colombia, India, the US and Australia.

The company says its EPR contributions cover markets accounting for around 40 percent of its global revenue base. 

“A coordinated international response is needed, that aligns businesses and governments behind not only a shared understanding of the causes of plastic pollution but also the most effective processes and harmonized policies needed to address it,” highlights Dyer. 

Under fire over plastic pollution
Mondelēz’s calls for improved plastics recycling follow years of criticism over its practices and part in the global plastic pollution crisis.

In 2018, Greenpeace labeled Mondelēz one of the worst plastic polluters in Asia along with Coca-Cola and Perfetti van Melle. These three companines were found responsible for 30 percent of all branded plastic pollution on the continent.Mondelēz is setting up closed-loop recycling schemes in 15 countries.

A report last year by Break Free From Plastic similarly accused major companies including Mondelēz of offering “false solutions to the plastic pollution crisis they created” and called for efforts to reduce plastic use rather than focus on recycling. 

Pledging necessary action 
Mondelēz boasts several initiatives and pacts through which it aims to reduce plastic waste and promote a circular economy. 

The company removed 65,000 tons of packaging from its portfolio between 2013 and 2020 and says it is on track to reach its goal of 100 percent recyclable packaging by 2025. 

Currently, it estimates around 94 percent of its packaging is already recyclable, including paper and cardboard. 

In addition, Mondelēz is a member of the US Plastics Pact, the UK Plastics Pact and a signatory to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative. 

Mondelēz is also contributing to the European Brands Association’s (AIM) digital watermarking program, Holy Grail 2.0, and is one of several companies working with the Consumer Goods Forum on plastic waste.

“Alongside the significant financial contributions that we will make through voluntary and mandatory programs, we are advancing public and private partnerships and recycling programs,” concludes Hargrove. 

By Louis Gore-Langton