Mondelēz to Make Packaging Fully Recyclable by 2025

Mondelēz International plans to make all of its packaging recyclable by 2025, the company announced recently and will work with partners around the world to accomplish this.

In addition, the company said it will sustainably source all paper-based packaging and eliminate 65 million kilograms of packaging materials worldwide by 2020.

The moves reflect Mondelēz’ commitment to sustainability and its goal of achieving a “circular packaging economy,” the company said. In the long term, the company's vision is for “zero-net waste packaging.” With 2017 sales of $26 billion, Mondelēz operates in 160 countries.

“We’re committing to using sustainably sourced materials and recyclable packaging as part of our contribution to reduce packaging waste and establish a circular economy for packaging,” said Rob Hargrove, executive vice president of research, development, quality and innovation. “Plastic waste and its impact on the planet is a broad, systemic issue that consumers care deeply about. With partners from across the industry, as well as public and private entities, we can develop practical solutions [that result] in a positive environmental impact.”

The initiative also mandates that all packaging be made with recyclable materials by 2025, with Mondelēz providing design guidelines to packaging developers, setting priorities and identifying materials to use or avoid. It will also provide recycling information in all markets.

Mondelēz has already made significant strides in reducing the environmental impact of its packaging, most of which is already recycled, recyclable or recycle-ready. Around 75% is comprised of glass, paper or metal; about 70% of paper-based packaging is from recycled sources.