Sodexo Announces Plastics Reduction Policy

SEATTLE (Waste 360): Sodexo, a food services and facilities management company, announced a North American Single-Use Plastics Reduction Plan that will eliminate single-use plastic bags and stirrers by 2019; polystyrene foam items, such as cups, lids and food containers, by 2025; and shift straws to a "by request" item that will still be available to customers who need them while moving toward more sustainable materials.

According to the company, this plan is merely one step in Sodexo's global effort to reduceenvironmental impact, as the company will continue to research and introduce new innovations such as reusable materials, bioplastics and organic materials in its effort to eliminate avoidable waste going to landfills.

Sodexo's policy aims to eliminate more than 245 million pieces of unnecessary single-use items. For plastic straws and stirrers alone, the reduction plan will eliminate a volume of plastic straws and stirrers that, if laid end to end, would reach from North Pole to South Pole—twice.

Through its Better Tomorrow 2025 corporate responsibility roadmap, Sodexo said it has committed to eliminating avoidable waste globally by 2025. However, to ensuring quality of life services for people with disabilities, patients in hospitals, seniors and people with food allergies, Sodexo noted it is applying a targeted approach that will avoid the unintended consequences that could accompany full-scale elimination. In addition, the company said it will continue to collaborate with clients, supply partners and nongovernmental organizations on innovative and more sustainable solutions.

Courtesy: https://waste360.com