PepsiCo Inc. has set a target to use 50 percent recycled PET in its bottles by 2030 across the European Union, with an interim target of 45 percent by 2025.
The Purchase, N.Y., food and beverage company announced Sept. 5 that the target would “more than triple” the amount of recycled plastic it currently uses to more than 50,000 metric tons within the next 13 years.
The announcement comes in support of the European Commission's voluntary recycled plastics pledge campaign, which aims to increase the amount of recycled plastics in new products in the region.
PepsiCo said the target covers “all countries expected to be members of the EU in 2025,” meaning the United Kingdom will not be included.
The company, however, will pursue sustainable packaging options in the United Kingdom through its participation in the UK Plastic Pact, which targets sustainability through 2025.
The European goal will apply across PepsiCo's beverage operations, including company-owned and franchise facilities.
The move builds on PepsiCo's broader "performance with purpose" vision, which includes a goal to design 100 percent of its packaging to be recyclable, compostable or biodegradable by 2025.
The company estimates that currently 90 percent of its beverage packaging worldwide is fully recyclable.
PepsiCo used approximately 13 percent recycled PET in its EU beverage operations in 2017.