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Shareholder resolution season is in full swing, with a focus on packaging usage by CPG, food service, and hotel companies. Proposals targeting plastic packaging, flexible packaging, and reusable packaging have been submitted, with some already approved for potential voting.
Flexibles
A shareholder advocacy group, As You Sow, has made flexibles a priority this year due to the lack of progress on 2025 plastics targets set by organizations like the U.S. Plastics Pact and Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Companies are being urged to report on the risks of using non-recyclable packaging, explore reusable alternatives, and collaborate with peers on research and development.
PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz have recommended that shareholders vote against As You Sow’s proposals, citing challenges in recycling flexibles and their efforts to invest in sustainable packaging solutions.
Chemical recycling is being considered as a potential solution for flexible packaging, but concerns remain about its effectiveness and transparency in the process.
Reuse
Encouraging the adoption of reusable packaging is a key focus for shareholder advocacy groups. Coca-Cola faced criticism for revising its reusable packaging goals but has agreed to disclose its investments in reusable bottles. Starbucks has also committed to increasing the use of reusable cups.
Recyclability
Efforts to improve recyclability labeling and pledges are gaining traction, with companies like Starbucks and Sealed Air agreeing to assess and disclose their recycling practices. Proposals have been filed against companies like Kraft Heinz and Mondelēz to ensure the legitimacy of their recyclability claims.
Various other companies in the CPG, food service, and hotel sectors are also facing shareholder resolutions related to their packaging practices, with a growing emphasis on sustainability and accountability in the industry.
For a comprehensive list of packaging-related shareholder resolutions at major companies, refer to the interactive table below. If you have information on additional resolutions, please contact us at [email protected].
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include an additional proposal filed at Mondelēz.