P&G sets new 2020 packaging target

Procter and Gamble (P&G) has set new environmental targets to reduce its packaging by 20% (per consumer use) by 2020 compared with 2010 levels.

The new target was set by the FMCG giant in its recently published 2011 sustainability report, called Commitment to everyday life.

It also wants to replace its petroleum-based materials with sustainably sourced renewable materials by 25% by 2020 compared with 2010 levels.

P&G chief executive Robert A. McDonald said: “We’re confident that with P&G’s size and scale, and with our capabilities and partnerships, we can make the difference in the world to which we’re committed.”

He also said that the firm was advancing in research in renewable materials to develop alternatives to petroleum, “which is the most important thing we can do to reach our long-term vision of making 100% of our products and packaging with renewable or recycled materials”.

P&G acknowledged that it would not “reach this vision overnight; in fact, it will take decades to achieve”.

The report tracks the progress of P&G’s global commitments to reduce its environmental footprint across products and operations, introduce sustainable product innovations into its markets and fulfil its social responsibility commitments.

In 2007, P&G set itself a number of goals to achieve by 2012. It said that is has reduced packaging within the detergent category in the US and Canada by 33%, by creating different dosage sizes and minimising plastic, lessening its environmental impact.

Gillette Fusion ProGlide pack

P&G case studies its Gillette Fusion ProGlide pack and said that the pack’s new design delivered a 57% reduction in packaging. The company has also introduced plant-based plastic within its Pantene Pro-V packaging for the “nature fusion collection” across Western Europe, which it intends to roll out across North America this autumn. Elsewhere, global sustainability vice president Len Sauers said solid waste continued to be an important issue to address for “our industry”.

He added that P&G aimed to create less “solid waste by designing waste out of our packaging and products”.

For more information visit www.packagingnews.co.uk.