PURCHASE, N.Y. – The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PepsiCo, and national nonprofit The Recycling Partnership have launched “All In On Recycling.” The goal of this largest ever industrywide residential recycling challenge is to make recycling easier for 25 million families across the country by providing them with the resources they need to recycle more and recycle better.
The PepsiCo Foundation will provide $10 million in funding to jumpstart the historic challenge, which is one of the largest public gifts of its kind. The goal of the challenge is to raise $25 million in total donations from leading businesses, companies and organizations. In addition to contributions from other corporations, the more than 2,800 communities that participate in the initiative are expected to triple the collective investment, catalyzing roughly $75 million in municipal funding, and bringing the total amount of support to $100 million.
“I've always believed corporations do not operate in a vacuum—we have responsibilities to the communities we serve,” said Indra Nooyi, chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, in a press release. “Our collaboration with The Recycling Partnership represents a major step toward fulfilling those responsibilities by helping reverse the decline in recycling rates for aluminum and many common plastics. I hope other corporations across our industry and beyond will join us and commit to being All In On Recycling.”
Currently, due to lack of infrastructure, widely varying municipal recycling programs, and low awareness of proper recycling practices, more than half of the material that could be recycled from U.S. households is lost. However, the problem is not due to lack of desire, as 94% of Americans want to recycle more, and would, with easily accessible recycling containers and clear information about proper recycling practices.
The Recycling Partnership estimates the “All In On Recycling” challenge will help the United States capture 1.9 million tons of quality recyclable materials over the next five years, including 7 billion bottles and cans. “The PepsiCo Foundation's $10 million support not only allows us to make significant, measurable impact in communities, the environment, and people’s lives all over the country, but also sends a powerful industrywide message that we can only transform recycling if we work together. Companies know that while they can be fierce competitors on the shelf, once their products hit the recycling cart, we’re all in this together,” said Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership.