PepsiCo Cuts Virgin Plastic Use 6% as Recycled Content Rises
Plastic Recycling | 2026-08-20 10:56:49
The report highlights the company’s commitment to invest in deposit return systems, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and circular economy infrastructure.
By Paul Ploumis
PepsiCo Cuts Virgin Plastic Use 6%, Boosts Recycled Content in 2025
PepsiCo increased recycled plastic use in its packaging and reduced virgin plastic reliance in 2025, according to the company's latest ESG report.
What Readers Should Know
- Recycled plastic made up 18% of PepsiCo's packaging in key markets in 2025.
- Virgin plastic use in primary packaging fell 6% from 2024 levels.
- Total plastic use across key packaging markets was about 2 million tonnes.
- 94% of primary and secondary packaging is targeted to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030.
- Progress depends on recycling infrastructure, regulation and circular-economy systems.
- 2024 saw 15% higher recycled plastic use and 5% lower virgin packaging versus 2023.
PepsiCo increased the use of recycled plastic in its packaging and reduced its reliance on virgin plastic during 2025, according to the company's latest ESG report.
The report noted that recycled plastic accounted for 18% of its packaging in key markets last year. At the same time, it reduced the absolute amount of virgin plastic used in primary packaging by 6% from 2024. PepsiCo reported using about 2 million tonnes of plastic across its key packaging markets.
Why the 2025 numbers matter
The latest results show continued movement toward PepsiCo's long-term packaging goals, with recycled content gains and lower virgin plastic use in primary packaging. The company's total plastic footprint across key markets remained around 2 million tonnes, underscoring the scale of the system it is trying to shift.
2030 packaging design target
The company targets to have 94% of its primary and secondary packaging designed to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030. Meanwhile, PepsiCo said progress will depend not only on its own operations but also on improvements in recycling infrastructure and wider circular-economy systems. Regulatory changes and differences in recycling infrastructure across countries are likely to play key roles.
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How 2025 compares with 2024
PepsiCo's latest figures build on progress reported for 2024, when the company said recycled plastic use increased 15% and virgin plastic packaging declined 5% compared with 2023. It also reported that 93% of packaging in its key markets met its reusable, recyclable or compostable criteria.
Infrastructure and policy role
The report highlights the company's commitment to invest in deposit return systems, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes and circular economy infrastructure. PepsiCo has emphasized that meeting its packaging goals will require broader system-level improvements beyond its own operations.
People Also Ask
How much recycled plastic did PepsiCo use in 2025?
Recycled plastic accounted for 18% of PepsiCo's packaging in its key markets in 2025.
How much did virgin plastic use change in 2025?
PepsiCo reduced the absolute amount of virgin plastic used in primary packaging by 6% from 2024.
What is PepsiCo's 2030 packaging design goal?
PepsiCo targets 94% of primary and secondary packaging to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030.
What factors could affect progress toward packaging goals?
Progress depends on recycling infrastructure, regulation, deposit return systems, EPR schemes and circular-economy development.
What was the trend in 2024 versus 2023?
In 2024, recycled plastic use rose 15% and virgin plastic packaging fell 5% compared with 2023.
POLL
Which measure best reflects PepsiCo’s packaging progress in 2025?
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much recycled plastic did PepsiCo use in 2025?
Recycled plastic accounted for 18% of PepsiCo’s packaging in its key markets.
- What is PepsiCo’s packaging target for 2030?
PepsiCo aims to have 94% of its primary and secondary packaging designed to be reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2030.
- What could affect PepsiCo’s progress toward its packaging goals?
Recycling infrastructure, regulations, deposit-return systems, EPR schemes and broader circular-economy development could significantly influence progress.
