Market Intelligence – Recycling Infrastructure for 30 Countries
A global food and beverage player aimed to align its packaging standards with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s circular economy goals. In pursuit of a solution, they partnered with Stellarix to obtain a status quo on 2025 recyclability and waste management statistics for various packaging materials. Our insights enabled them to strategize regulatory compliance measures and infrastructure investments, as well as fortify their long-term ESG and EPR roadmap.
Client Background:
The client is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, offering products that support nutrition, health, and wellness. As a part of their sustainability commitments, the company aims to make 100% of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025 and reduce the use of virgin plastics by one-third within the same period.
To support their net-zero emission goals by 2050, the company is advancing a circular packaging economy by investing in innovative materials, enhancing recycling infrastructure, and aligning with emerging regulatory requirements to minimize environmental impact.
Engagement Objective:
The objective of the study was to provide a comprehensive overview of recyclability and waste management statistics, including waste generation, collection, recycling, incineration, and disposal for various packaging materials. Additionally, the study aimed to project the status quo for 2025 and assess the feasibility of these packaging materials in meeting the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s circular economy goal of achieving a 30% recycling rate.
Key business questions addressed as a part of the study are:
- What is the current landscape of waste management of packaging materials categorized as per the Ellen MacArthur Foundation?
- How has the waste management infrastructure been revamped since 2020? And, is there any newer development happening?
- What is the recent status of EPR schemes, bans & restrictions? And how has the regulatory framework evolved since 2020?
- What are the projections for packaging waste recycling in the near future (2025), and what are the key factors contributing to these projections?
Client Impact:
The study provided the client with essential waste management insights that aligned with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s circular economy goal of achieving a 30% recycling rate. This enabled the client to effectively plan for regulatory compliance, ensuring they maintain a competitive edge. The research assessed current packaging recycling rates and identified investments and developments in recycling infrastructure. This helped the client stay ahead in the race to achieve net-zero sustainability goals.
The 2025 projections offered a clear view of feasibility and preparedness, enabling the client to assess risks, optimize compliance strategies, and identify opportunities in sustainable packaging. This data-driven approach strengthened the client’s sustainability roadmap and supported their long-term ESG goals.
Outcome Snapshot:
