Grove Collaborative’s Post

🌍 The Plastic Industry’s Role: A Deep Dive into the Recycling Narrative Ever wondered why the responsibility for plastic waste lands squarely on consumers? This isn’t by accident—it’s a calculated move by the plastic industry to divert blame from their production practices. Let’s uncover how corporations spun the recycling narrative to keep us distracted from the real issue. 🗓️ The Origin: "Keep America Beautiful" Campaign In the 1950s, corporations like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Dow Chemical launched the "Keep America Beautiful" campaign. On the surface, it promoted anti-littering and personal responsibility. But beneath the glossy ads was a powerful agenda: shift the focus away from plastic production and onto consumers. 📊 Eye-Opening Numbers: ♻️ 91% of plastic isn’t recycled. Despite decades of recycling efforts, only 9% of all plastic waste ever produced has been recycled. 🌊 380 million tons of plastic are produced annually—and this is expected to double by 2040. 🚮 Less than 30% of plastic packaging is collected for recycling globally, and an even smaller percentage is actually recycled due to contamination and economic constraints. 💰 The Power of Lobbying Corporations have spent millions lobbying against stricter regulations and bans on plastic production. By championing recycling, they successfully shifted the burden onto consumers and governments. The result? A false narrative that consuming more plastic is acceptable as long as we recycle. 🚫 The Reality Check: Most plastics are not recyclable in practice. The infrastructure can’t keep up, and many plastics degrade in quality after recycling, leading to downcycling or ending up in landfills. 📢 Time for Accountability The narrative needs to change. Corporations must take responsibility for reducing plastic production and investing in sustainable alternatives. It’s not just about recycling—it’s about reimagining our approach to plastic altogether. Let’s demand real change. We can no longer be passive consumers. It’s time to hold industries accountable and push for systemic transformation. 💡 The power is in our hands. Let’s challenge the myth, expose the truth, and drive towards a truly sustainable future. #CircularEconomy #PlasticCrisis #Sustainability #RecyclingReality #CorporateAccountability #GreenFuture #ZeroWaste #EnvironmentalAction #SustainableLivingsustainability #greenfuture #circularity #circularsolutions #RecyclingMyths #SustainabilityMatters #WasteNot #TheTruthAboutRecycling #PlasticCrisis #EcoFriendlyFuture #SustainableSolutions #GreenwashingExposed #EnvironmentalAwareness #ActForThePlanet #ReduceReuseRecycle #SustainableLiving #wastemanagement #nsrcel #iimb

Today, nearly 200 countries, global nongovernmental organizations, and corporations are gathered in Ottawa for the fourth session of the UN Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4). Together, they will work to advance the world’s first plastics treaty. We continue to encourage the adoption of a legally binding treaty, including language requiring digital marking of plastic packaging. Digital watermarking is a powerful, proven, and incredibly affordable solution to the plastic pollution crisis, and it is available today. We are committed to action and being part of the solution. Today, we want to spotlight a fellow Fortune "Change the World" honoree and global leader: Jim Fitterling, chairman and CEO of Dow. Fitterling has it right. Per Dipka B. at Forbes: (Fitterling) endorses a new digital watermarking technology that developed countries, including the United States, could adopt. “When you get a package, there’s a watermark in it that may not be visible to the naked eye, but an optical sorter can pick it up in an advanced recycling facility and spread it out, so you get a higher quality raw material,” he said. The world faces a significant challenge in recycling plastic due to the vast number of plastic variants created by industry and the limitations of optical sorting technology at recycling facilities. Our solution, Digimarc Recycle, changes this dynamic. It applies covert digital watermarks to precisely identify plastic packaging, allowing for the creation of the variety, volume, and quality of recycled plastics necessary for a thriving circular economy.  Our offer to license our groundbreaking technology to partners around the world for less than $1 per capita per year underscores our belief that the time to act is now. Please join us in being a part of the solution. We invite conversation but, more importantly, collaboration and action in solving the world's plastic crisis. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gAysukX2 #INC4 #digitalwatermarks #plasticrecycling #notimetowaste #earthday2024

Happy Earth Day! This year’s Earth Day theme is Planet vs. Plastics, and I couldn’t be happier about the opportunity to bring more attention to this pressing issue. About how ineffective recycling programs are, and how most plastic ends up not being recycled. ♻️ About how detrimental plastic is to our oceans and Earth at large. 🌊 About how we all contribute to this in ways we don’t even think about, every single day. 🚮 About how, while all plastic is sinful, single-use plastics should truly be outlawed to save our planet.  🌍 It’s true, we need governments and businesses to step up to mitigate plastic production and consumption. But as consumers, we do have some power. Power to demand more from the brands we buy from, and power to persuade our local politicians to consider our futures, and the futures of our children. I’ll bet many of us are also using plastics in more ways than we think. So I’m challenging my LinkedIn connections to think about your plastics consumption today, and I’ll have you focus on just single-use plastics. Now, go through your day – from your morning routine to bedtime. Think about all the single-use plastics you’ll use – your shampoo bottle, soap dispensers, your toothpaste tube, any food containers (takeout or from the grocery store), your trash bags, cleaning products, etc. How many single-use plastics do you use in a typical day? Now, take some action – think about ways you can reduce that number. Ditch the single-use soap dispensers and buy glass ones you can refill. Buy toilet paper that arrives in boxes vs. plastic wrap. Consider toothpaste tabs, cleaning products that come in cardboard or aluminum packaging, buy items made from recycled plastic, purchase produce directly from local markets to avoid grocery-store nonsense like plastic-wrapped bananas. Remember that just doing ONE of those things can make a difference, and hopefully even inspire someone else to take action, too. You don’t need to do it all, I can assure you I am far from perfect. It’s about harm reduction, not putting the literal weight of the world on your shoulders – advice I need to take myself when I’m feeling hopeless about the state of climate change. But doing something is far better than doing nothing, and can help spread awareness for how we contribute to the problem, and how to become a part of the solution. #EarthDay2024 #PlanetvsPlastic #plasticwaste #endplasticpollution

5 Stats on Plastic Recycling and ‘Circularity’ Investments: 1. $32 billion was the recent yearly average investment in plastics circularity From 2018 to 2023, global investments in plastics circularity totaled $190 billion, averaging $32 billion annually, with over half in North America. Despite these investments, this is far below the $1 trillion needed yearly by 2040 to reduce global plastic mismanagement. Most funding came from banks, followed by corporations, private equity, and others. Only 6% of investments reached "emerging" economies hardest hit by plastic pollution. 2. 82% of global plastics circularity investments are going to recovery and recycling Investments were still heavily skewing toward plastics recovery and recycling between 2018 and 2023, according to the Plastics Circularity Investment Tracker. Just 4% were tracked to refill and reuse, one example being PepsiCo’s more than $3 billion acquisition of SodaStream International in 2018. 3. The global economy is 7.2% ‘circular’ That’s down from 9.1% in 2018, “meaning more than 90% of materials extracted are either wasted, lost, or remain unavailable,”. BofA Global Research projects that “plastic consumption, waste, emissions and leakage” could rise by 50% to 70% by 2040 as global use of the material grows. 4. The US residential recycling rate for PET bottles is now 28% The statistic was featured in an August report from the PET Recycling Coalition, a brands-backed initiative of The Recycling Partnership. Since 2022, the coalition has worked to increase the capture of PET bottles; widen acceptance of trays, cups and clamshells in community recycling collection programs; unlock new supplies of recycled material for packaging manufacturers; and strengthen recycling systems of pigmented and opaque material. 5. Plastics Pacts globally have increased recycled content by 44% That’s according to a six-years-in impact report on the Plastics Pact Network from WRAP (the U.K.’s Waste and Resources Action Programme) and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. According to the report, the first such pact launched in the U.K. in 2018, and pacts now cover 19 countries, where members collectively account for one-third of the plastic packaging placed on the market in those nations. #PlasticRecycling #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #ZeroWaste #hubbaLtd

"🌍 Corporate Responsibility: Leading the Charge Against Plastic Pollution 🌱" In an era where every conscious choice counts, the topic of plastic recycling stands out like a beacon of hope. As society grows increasingly aware of the environmental cost of plastic, many companies are stepping into the fray, transforming challenges into opportunities for innovation and impact. 🔍 Unpacking the Plastic Predicament The staggering use of plastic has been cause for concern worldwide, enveloping our oceans, wildlife, and even our daily lives. With over 300 million tons produced each year, the environmental ramifications are considerable. Conventional plastic takes years to decompose, releasing toxins and microplastics into our ecosystems. Yet, amidst this gloom, an inspiring trend is manifesting. 🏢 Rise of Corporate Responsibility No longer is the onus on individuals alone. Companies across the globe are recognizing the dire need for change. More than just a buzzword, corporate responsibility now means taking actionable steps towards sustainability and showcasing leadership in plastic reduction. Here's how some forward-thinking companies are making waves: Innovative Recycling Initiatives: Businesses are investing in cutting-edge recycling technology and infrastructure to reduce plastic waste. By developing closed-loop systems, they're ensuring that materials can be reused with minimal ecological impact. Sustainable Product Design: Companies are redesigning products with recycling in mind — incorporating biodegradable materials and cutting down on unnecessary packaging. Collaborative Partnerships: Partnerships between industries and environmental organizations are driving large-scale changes. By aligning goals, they amplify each other's strengths to tackle the plastic conundrum more effectively. Educational Campaigns: Awareness is paramount. Successful companies are launching educational campaigns to inform both consumers and employees about responsible plastic use and proper recycling methods. ✨ Call to Action: Be a Champion for Change Every step towards change is significant. As an individual, you can make a massive difference by choosing products from companies leading in plastic recycling and sustainability. Let's support businesses that are aligning their practices with the planet's well-being. Let this be a collective call to action. Together, we can drive a transformative shift where corporate responsibility isn't just a concept but a widespread practice that benefits us all. 🌐 Read More @ https://lnkd.in/deR7RTV6 Join hands in this global journey to turn the tide on plastic pollution. 🌿

The Coca-Cola Company is one of the most destructive companies on the plant today. Not only do its products themselves harm public health, but its lobbying and #misinformation campaigns also aim to obscure the link between its beverages and outcomes like obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease. 🗑️ And then there is the massive amount of plastic pollution it generates. Coke is the worlds largest producer of plastic waste and the article below by Plastic Pollution Coalition also shows how company is masterful at the type of corporate gaslighting tactics I outline in #TheProfifeers. This includes for example, disproportionate use of glass bottles in advertising, when in reality most of the packaging it produces is made of plastic. The company also touts efforts to increase its plastic bottles’ recyclability as environmentally sustainable, while in reality such promotion of plastic recycling is greenwashing, as less than 9 percent of all plastic ever made has been recycled. 📖 This situation exemplifies how companies privatize profits while socializing costs, the subtitle of #TheProfiteers. But this is not just an example of #externalities as neutral market imperfections, but how decades of corporate political action, PR and communications have also worked to shift accountability for social and environmental costs away from companies and on to individuals.

"But this is not just an example of hashtag #externalities as neutral market imperfections, but how decades of corporate political action, PR and communications have also worked to shift accountability for social and environmental costs away from companies and on to individuals."

Get ready to go plastic free this July 🚫 Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages individuals and businesses to reduce single-use plastics. With many of us making small changes, we could significantly reduce plastic pollution and protect our planet. Why take part in Plastic Free July? 🗑️ Reduce your waste and process it properly - This can help minimise the amount of plastic waste ending up in landfills and oceans. 🐢 Protect wildlife - Plastics can be a killer to animals. From harming marine life with micro plastics, and other wildlife getting caught in packaging, it's a real threat to their lives and habitats. 💚 Promote sustainability - Encouraging the use of sustainable, long lasting alternatives helps highlight our environmental responsibility. How can your business can take part? Conduct a plastic audit - Identify where your business uses single-use plastics and explore alternatives. Switch to reusables - Replace single-use items with reusable options, such as metal straws, glass containers, and cutlery. Engage your team - Raise awareness among your teams about the importance of reducing plastic use and provide practical tips for making changes, at home and in the office. Good luck in making a positive impact this Plastic Free July. We'll be sharing more tips throughout July to help. Remember, small changes can add up to a big impact 🌟

Coca-Cola’s Sustainability Shake-Up: Recycling or Rethinking? The stakes are high when one of the world’s largest plastic polluters changes its sustainability strategy. Coca-Cola’s recent announcement to prioritize recycled plastic use over reducing virgin and single-use plastics has sparked a heated debate. Coca-Cola now aims to: • Use 30-35% recycled plastic in its packaging by 2035. • Boost collection rates to 70-75% of bottles and cans annually. This shift replaces the company’s earlier commitments to cut 3 million metric tons of virgin plastic by 2025 and to achieve 25% reusable packaging by 2030—ambitions that have seen little progress. Why It Matters 1. Plastic pollution isn’t just an eyesore; it’s a crisis. Only 9% of plastics are successfully recycled, while the rest clogs our oceans and ecosystems. 2. Critics warn that focusing on recycling rather than reduction perpetuates the single-use plastic problem. 3. Coca-Cola’s plastics accounted for 11% of branded pollution globally in 2023. With numbers like that, its policies matter—not just to its brand but to the planet. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 Coca-Cola’s pivot signals awareness of the plastic crisis but falls short of transformative action. In the words of one critic, this approach might "clean the window" while the house continues to fill with waste. Will Coca-Cola lead the charge against single-use plastics, or will it remain part of the problem? #ESG #Sustainability #PlasticPollution #CorporateResponsibility #Recycling #Environment

The race against plastic pollution is on, and the stakes are high. By 2025, big players like Nestlé aim for all plastics to be recyclable, while L’Oreal targets entirely sustainable packaging. P&G has set its sights on reducing virgin plastic use by half come 2030. Yet, the ambition to transform our waste systems is meeting tough challenges. Advanced recycling plants, seen as a beacon of hope for managing plastic waste, are facing technical and operational hurdles, with some not reaching their full potential as swiftly as needed. My approach combines innovation with the circular economy principles, emphasising the need for community and corporate social responsibility involvement. I collaborate with global corporations, philanthropists, local governments, and communities to develop holistic waste management infrastructures that are viable and sustainable. While advanced recycling plants are part of the solution, they're just one piece of the larger puzzle of creating a truly circular economy—one where every piece of plastic has its place and purpose without harming our environment. I’m encouraged by the commitments of large corporations to reduce plastic waste and increase recyclability, but I know the journey to a waste-free world is complex. How can we build resilient systems that honour our environmental commitments? I’d love to hear your thoughts. #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #PlasticPollution