Target reaffirms commitment to sustainable packaging

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Retailer Target has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainability by announcing five new sustainable packaging goals. The goals have been designed taking into consideration the expectations of its customers. By way of setting new goals, Target aims to deliver products that are better for customers and environment. Ultimately, it aims to recycle all packaging, thereby leading to a packaging-waste-free world.

Target intends to source all owned brand paper-based packaging from sustainably managed forests by 2022. In line with the group’s forest products policy, Target will collaborate with vendors and other partners to understand the origin of the raw materials that go into making of the paper-based packaging. Efforts will be made to improve the sustainability of forests which supply timber. Special focus will be made on six of its brands, namely Spritz, Pillowfort, Cat & Jack, up & up, Smith & Hawken and Threshold.

It also aims to work towards eliminating expanded polystyrene content from owned brand packaging by 2022. According to Target, polystyrene causes recycling difficulties to both customers and distribution centres. Moreover, expanded polystyrene is a major cause of plastics contamination in oceans. Studies suggest that oceans could have more plastic by 2030. As part of its new chemical strategy, Target will try to eliminate polystyrene from its packaging solutions and switch to better options.

In addition, Target will try to add How2Recycle label to owned brand packaging by 2020. As per estimates, Target has the labels in their packaging products, more than any retailer. Over 1,700 product packages and mailers of Target have How2Recycle labels on them. While announcing its sustainability goals, the retailer stated that it will continue to look for ways to incorporate the label on more owned-brand packaging.

Target plans to make significant investment to make curbside recycling accessible to more communities. Incidentally, studies indicate that only just over half of the US population has recycling as a standard service. Cart-based programs are available only to fewer customers. As the first retailer to join The Recycling Partnership, Target aims to support the partnership’s mission to improve how more than 25% of the US population recycles by 2020.

The retailer group commits to create more demand for recycled packaging by creating three new end markets for recycled materials by 2020. Target will support various industry initiatives including The Material Recovery Facility of the Future and Beyond 34 to this effect. It aims to make all flexible packaging recyclable so that recovery community captures value from it. By breaking through the current 34% national average recycling rate, it aims to achieve a circular economy through innovative recycling and recovery solutions.

Target Corporation is the second-largest discount store retailer in the United States, behind Walmart. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Target operates over 1,800 stores throughout the US. Their retail formats include the discount store Target, the hypermarket SuperTarget, and "flexible format" stores.