Smurfit Westrock creates Quality solution to drive down emissions for Nestlé

Consider millennials as the poster children for sustainability. They’re the ones toting reusable fabric bags at your local farmer’s market and driving hybrid vehicles around town. If you think about it, it’s no surprise: they learned from the Greatest Generation, who founded Earth Day and turned environmentalism into actionable steps to preserve the planet. As millennials grab the environmentalism baton, their spending habits are expected to match their commitment to the planet. For example, one survey found that 75 percent of millennials look for and spend money on sustainable food products versus just 34 percent of Baby Boomers. As millennials spend serious cash on sustainable products across all industries — from food to cleaning supplies to wellness products — companies are quickly introducing products that appeal to their desire to protect the environment.

O-I Glass, Inc. announced it completed the sale of its Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) business unit to Visy Industries. Gross proceeds approximated AUD $947 million including a related sale-leaseback agreement which approximated AUD $214 million. Based on recent currency exchange rates, gross proceeds represented approximately USD $677 million. Approximately 95 percent of proceeds are being received at time of closing and the remaining balance will be paid within 12 months of closing without conditions precedent. Net proceeds will be principally used to reduce debt. O-I ANZ is the largest manufacturer of glass bottles and containers in Australia and New Zealand and the business generated sales of approximately AUD $754 million and EBITDA of approximately AUD $124 million in 2019.

Berry Global Group, Inc. and Taco Bell are making strides toward a more circular approach to sustainable packaging with the launch of a new clear, all-plastic cup containing mechanically recycled post-consumer resin (PCR). The move represents progress by both organizations in meeting their publicly stated sustainability commitments: Taco Bell’s 2022 Commitments and Berry’s Impact 2025. Designed for circularity, the new, clear polypropylene (PP) cup will be testing in select Taco Bell U.S. restaurants in late 2022, with 30-ounce cups using 10% recycled, high-density polyethylene (HDPE). This conversion from Taco Bell’s virgin plastic cup and lid set will help divert waste from landfill and incineration while simultaneously improving its carbon footprint through the use of recycled plastic*.