Keurig Dr Pepper claims nearly 90% of its packaging is now recyclable

Keurig Dr Pepper has claimed it is “on track” to achieve its goal of 100% recyclable or compostable packaging by 2025, as it revealed that nearly 90% of packaging across its entire portfolio is now recyclable.

The figures were revealed in Keurig Dr Pepper’s 2019 Corporate Responsibility Report, which asserted that the company had made “solid advancements on its ambitious goals to reduce packaging waste”. The report also included a range of new sustainability commitments relating to carbon emissions reductions; water and energy efficiency and sustainable sourcing.

According to the report, 87% of the packaging used by company brands is now considered recyclable, while the company now uses 20% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in its packaging.

Additionally, 95% of the company’s K-Cup pods for coffee machines are now considered recyclable, and all will reportedly be considered as recyclable by the end of 2020.

The report also highlighted Keurig Dr Pepper’s support of the $100 million Every Bottle Back recycling initiative, which saw the company partner with the American Beverage Association and industry peers to improve recycling infrastructure and support consumer education around recycling.

In terms of carbon emissions, the company has pledged to reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030, and reduce absolute Scope 3 emissions in select categories by 15% by 2030.

The company also highlighted that it had increased water use efficiency by 4.4% in 2019; while 65% of the coffee used by the company is sustainably sourced.

Monique Oxender, chief sustainability officer, Keurig Dr Pepper, said: “The momentum against our Drink Well. Do Good. efforts in 2019, our first calendar year operating as one Keurig Dr Pepper team, reflects the central role corporate responsibility has at our Company.

“We made progress against all our areas of focus, including reducing packaging waste and increasing circularity of our products, with 87% of packaging now recyclable and 20% made with post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.

“Importantly, as committed to in our last report, our new emissions targets approved by the Science Based Target initiative provide a clear path to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.”