"Campbell “promotes circularity” yet continues to supply single-use packaging."

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Food packaging creates 680Mt of global GHGe¹ yet prevents food waste². Pressured by environmentally aware consumers and regulators, FMCGs are changing their packaging strategy.

Campbell Soup (CS) is an FMCG with 2020 growth of 7% (53% in meals and beverages, 47% in snacks)^3;p2, with an overall market share of 2.18%⁴. Its aim for “sustainable packaging to promote circularity” centres on the supply, disposal, and treatment recycling process^3;p35-36. However, it used 441,019t of packaging, of which 39,598t of non-recyclable packaging^3;p36.

Some of the packagings used post-consumer recycled content (PCR), which offsets raw material use and stimulates demand for recycled materials. Recycling is less destructive and energy-intensive than extraction, albeit the process still contributes to fossil fuel usage and GHGe⁵. Despite glass and metals being infinitely recyclable⁵, CS used PCR content in 35% of its glass, steel, and 38% of its corrugate packaging; 70% in aluminum packaging; and still uses no PCR plastic^3;p36.

From the packaging that is recyclable, recycling success then falls on the consumer. CS expanded investment in clear labelling to educate consumers^3;p36, yet produces snacks – the top 10 causes of littering⁶.

Of the packaging that the consumer actually recycles, responsibility then falls on waste management systems. However, material development occurs faster and in a disconnected manner to the corresponding after-use system^7;p7 and existing recycling systems are not equipped to manage multi-material packaging². CS partners with recyclers on advancing recyclability of its more challenging packaging types^3;p36.

CS's packaging strategy fails to address its single-use nature through refill/return schemes. 20% of plastic packaging could be replaced by reusable systems⁸ generating USD700 million annual material cost saving for the industry⁹.

CS continues to supply single-use packaging, albeit of better quality, adding to global GHGe as a result.

Sources

• 1. https://ourworldindata.org/food-ghg-emissions
• 2. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/paper-forest-products-and-packaging/our-insights/the-drive-toward-sustainability-in-packaging-beyond-the-quick-wins
• 3. https://www.campbellcsr.com/_pdfs/2021_Campbells_CRR.pdf
• 4. https://csimarket.com/stocks/compet_glance.php?code=CPB
• 5. https://www.ecoandbeyond.co/articles/the-impact-of-packaging-on-the-environment/
• 6. https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/2019/10/07/1794-pieces-of-litter-picked-up-in-an-hour-for-world-cleanup-day/
• 7. http://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_New_Plastics_Economy.pdf
• 8. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590289X20300086
• 9. https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy/what-is-the-circular-economy

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