MONDELĒZ BARES RECYCLING THRUST

Snack company Mondelēz Philippines has partnered with PCEx to recover and process 130 metric tons of post-consumer plastic waste as part of its commitment to an industry thrust to zero waste in nine years

This waste will be sourced from various collection points across Metro Manila according to Mondelēz Corporate and Government Affairs Country Manager Joseph Fabul as part of the company’s commitment towards addressing climate change.

“Our goal is to be brand-neutral. This means we are not only collecting our own post-consumer waste, but all manner of plastic packaging waste, to ensure that they are properly collected and processed; and do not end up in our oceans and seas” Fabul said.

“This new partnership is part of our continuing contributions to encourage recycling among consumers and other industries. From building recycled plastic play areas in schools, we are also part of an industry commitment called "Zero Waste" to Nature in 2030, with the Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS).

He added: “The issue of plastic packaging is a complex one which requires the support of all sectors, from consumers to companies, and the government. We know it cannot be solved overnight, but we are steadfast in our goal of making snacks the right way; and managing our supply chains sustainably, in ways that minimize our impact on the planet.”

Like other food firms, Mondelēz uses flexible plastic films because they are safe, light and durable, and significantly reduce overall carbon footprint while enabling food safety and decreasing food waste.

“We believe the real issue is that these materials are not collected and recycled enough. This is because the recycling infrastructure is lacking, and proper collection and disposal levels are too low,” Fabul said.

To help address these key issues in flexible plastic packaging, Mondelēz has pledged to “…Advance public and private partnerships, recycling programs, and our advocacy efforts to build better infrastructure. So that these materials are not only designed to be recycled, but actually get collected, disposed and recycled.”

This translates to a commitment to ensure 100% of its packaging will be recycle-ready by 2025, reducing the amount of packaging being used for its products, and partnering with organizations like the Plastic Credit Exchange (PCEx) for its collection and recycling goals.

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