Under pressure from activist investors, big brands agree to report and reduce plastics use

Kelly McBee, As You Sow’s circular economy manager, said she had “productive conversations” with Hormel, but she still wanted to see more support for laws that make companies financially responsible for the trash they produce (known as “extended producer responsibility,” or EPR, laws), as well as more investment in plastic collection and recycling infrastructure. Read More →

Energy & ClimateAs You SowMarch 5, 2024homepage, Kelly McBee, packaging

Pressured to Cut Plastic Use, McDonald’s Aims to See What Works and What Doesn’t

This year, As You Sow filed a new proposal requesting McDonald’s report on the environmental benefits of reusable packaging, but withdrew it ahead of the company’s annual meeting after McDonald’s told them it would publish such a report. A McDonald’s spokeswoman said the company had planned to carry out its study before the As You Sow proposal. Read More →

Circular EconomyAs You SowMarch 27, 2023homepage, McDonalds, plastics, packaging

Starbucks plans major push away from single-use packaging

Starbucks Corp. wants to move away from single-use packaging, including plastics, by 2030. Starbucks Corp. announced Jan. 21 it wants to make major moves away from single-use packaging, including plastics, as part of an effort to cut its carbon footprint and cut waste from its stores and manufacturing in half by 2030. Read More →

Waste, Circular EconomyAs You SowJanuary 27, 2020plastics, Steve Toloken, packaging, Starbucks

Starbucks announces new sustainability push, aiming to slash waste, water use and carbon emissions

In 2018, the company committed to eliminate plastic straws worldwide by 2020 and also introduced a strawless lid. Last summer, Starbucks began working more closely with groups like As You Sow, said Conrad MacKerron, a senior vice president at As You Sow who helped lead the Starbucks campaign. Read More →

Waste, Circular EconomyAs You SowJanuary 23, 2020Paul Roberts, plastics, packaging, Starbucks

Starbucks sets new sustainability goals for the decade

In the future, customers across the more than 70 countries with Starbucks locations might find that they’ll need to pay for a single-use cup, according to Conrad MacKerron, vice president of the shareholder advocacy group As You Sow. Read More →

Waste, Circular EconomyAs You SowJanuary 23, 2020packaging, plastics, Starbucks, The Verge

Shareholder initiative nudges Starbucks to greener path

The proposal won 44.5% of shareholder votes, but when the company did not fully respond, it was refiled in September for 2020. That led to a more productive dialogue with the company and the withdrawal of the shareholder proposal, As You Sow Senior Vice President Conrad MacKerron said in an interview. Read More →

Waste, Circular EconomyAs You SowJanuary 23, 2020Hazel Bradford, packaging, plastics, Starbucks

Companies Make Room for Investors Pushing Climate, Social Issues

The largest U.S. companies are beginning to pay heed to the demands of investors focused on environmental and social issues, a shift for shareholders long relegated to the sidelines.