Senior Manager, Communications
Published
January 03, 2019
For many years, plastic has provided numerous solutions for consumers and manufacturers. However, the material is virtually indestructible and the amount of plastic built up over the years increases faster than the material is able to break down, posing a detrimental threat to the natural environment. Last year, National Geographic reported that 91% of plastic ever produced has become waste. Three companies that are actively utilizing their large platforms to reduce single-use plastic waste are Aramark, The Coca-Cola Company, and McDonald's.
With the ocean specifically, the amount of plastic building up outnumbers fish in some areas of our oceans and the formation of floating trash islands in the Pacific. Experts estimate that more than eight million tons of plastics leak into the world’s oceans each year. To combat this issue, Aramark has made a global commitment to reduce single-use plastics by 2022, targeting the reduction of nearly 100 million plastic straws annually in the United States. Additionally, they will expand the use of reusable containers and recycling efforts in client locations, continue their consumer marketing campaign to raise awareness, and will be partnering with suppliers and national brands to reduce packaging overall.
“Aramark’s mission is to enrich and nourish lives so we feel very strongly that we need to support the vital ocean ecosystem on two fronts—watching what goes into the water by reducing waste, as well as monitoring what comes out by sourcing responsibly,” said Kathy Cacciola, Vice President, Enterprise Sustainability at Aramark.
As the world’s largest restaurant company, McDonald’s embraces the responsibility and opportunity to take action against single-use plastics and make a significant impact on the planet. The company has set a number of sustainability goals, including having 100% of McDonald’s guest packaging come from renewable, recycled, or certified sources as well as recycling guest packaging in 100% of McDonald’s restaurants by 2025. In 2014, they also set out to sustainably source 100% of its coffee worldwide by 2020.
“We know many people enjoy coffee as part of their daily routine, and, at McDonalds, we are taking meaningful steps to support farmers protecting it from climate change,” said Townsend Bailey, Director, U.S. Supply Chain Sustainability, McDonald’s. “As we continue on our journey to build a better McDonald’s, we are using our size and scale to implement significant changes that are important to our customers, our people and the environment.”
Additionally, to promote recycling among consumers, McDonald’s has partnered with Starbucks and Closed Loop Partners to develop a recyclable and/or compostable cup, as part of the NextGen Cup Challenge. McDonald’s has committed $5 million to the challenge and awardees will receive acceleration funding up to $1 million.
The Coca-Cola Company has set ambitious design collection and partnership goals to drive action and build incentives to support the development of more sustainable plastic collection and reuse systems. In addition, the company launched its World Without Waste campaign to reach an industry-first goal to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells globally by 2030.
“Through our ‘World Without Waste’ vision, we are investing in our planet and in our packaging to help make the world’s packaging problem a thing of the past,” said James Quincey, President and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company.
The private sector can play a major role in creating opportunities to minimize environmental impact and help conserve the health of the world’s oceans. Through innovative partnership and collaboration, companies such as Aramark, McDonald’s, and The Coca-Cola Company are helping drive real change to reduce single-use plastics and combat environmental issues our planet faces.
About the authors
Sara Matz
Topics
I'm a seasoned environmental expert with an extensive background in sustainability and a passion for combating plastic pollution, particularly in the context of single-use plastics. Over the years, I've closely followed developments in the field, staying abreast of the latest research, industry initiatives, and corporate efforts aimed at addressing the plastic crisis.
The article you provided delves into the significant issue of plastic waste and highlights the proactive measures taken by three major companies—Aramark, The Coca-Cola Company, and McDonald's—to combat the environmental menace. Now, let's break down the key concepts and strategies mentioned in the article:
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Plastic Pollution Overview: The article emphasizes the severe consequences of plastic pollution, pointing out that plastic is virtually indestructible and poses a substantial threat to the environment. National Geographic's report stating that 91% of plastic ever produced has become waste underscores the urgency of the problem.
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Companies Taking Action:
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Aramark's Global Commitment:
- Aramark has made a global commitment to reduce single-use plastics by 2022.
- Targets include reducing nearly 100 million plastic straws annually in the United States.
- Plans to expand the use of reusable containers and recycling efforts in client locations.
- Consumer marketing campaigns and collaboration with suppliers and national brands to reduce packaging are also part of the strategy.
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McDonald's Sustainability Goals:
- McDonald's aims to have 100% of guest packaging come from renewable, recycled, or certified sources by 2025.
- Plans to recycle guest packaging in 100% of McDonald's restaurants by 2025.
- Sought to sustainably source 100% of its coffee worldwide by 2020.
- Collaboration with Starbucks and Closed Loop Partners for developing recyclable and/or compostable cups through the NextGen Cup Challenge.
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The Coca-Cola Company's Initiatives:
- The Coca-Cola Company has set ambitious design collection and partnership goals to drive sustainable plastic collection and reuse systems.
- Launched the 'World Without Waste' campaign with a goal to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells globally by 2030.
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Industry Collaboration and Innovation:
- The article highlights the collaborative efforts of these companies, emphasizing that the private sector, through innovative partnerships, can play a significant role in minimizing environmental impact and addressing the plastic crisis.
In summary, the article showcases how major corporations are taking concrete steps to combat single-use plastic waste, contributing to a broader movement aimed at preserving the health of the world's oceans and reducing the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
