As the CPG industry sheds millions of tons of plastic and slashes emissions in a race to meet overwhelming consumer demand, these statistics reveal a sector transforming its entire footprint from packaging to production.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, 68% of CPG companies reported reducing plastic packaging by an average of 25% since 2018 through lightweighting and alternative materials
- Unilever achieved a 52% reduction in virgin plastic use per ton of product from 2008 to 2022, totaling 97,000 fewer tonnes annually
- Procter & Gamble eliminated 300 million plastic bottles in 2022 by switching to recyclable aluminum for laundry detergents
- The CPG sector emitted 1.2 gigatons of CO2e in 2022, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 90% from supply chains
- Unilever's Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduced by 72% since 2008 baseline, reaching 48,000 tCO2e in 2022
- Procter & Gamble cut factory energy use by 22% per unit since 2010, avoiding 4.5 million tons CO2e by 2023
- CPG water usage averaged 2.5 liters per liter of beverage produced in 2023, down 20% since 2015
- Unilever dairy plants recycled 97% of water used in 2023, saving 1.5 billion liters annually
- Nestlé reduced water withdrawal by 28% per ton of product since 2007, totaling 200 billion liters saved
- 85% of CPG palm oil suppliers certified sustainable, reducing deforestation water impacts by 2023
- Nestlé sources 90% responsibly for coffee, with 75% Rainforest Alliance certified in 2023
- Unilever achieved 100% sustainable palm oil supply since 2012, covering 1.5 million tons annually
- 55% of CPG consumers prioritize eco-friendly brands, influencing 78% purchase decisions in 2023
- 73% of millennials pay premium for sustainable CPG products, averaging 12% more in 2023 surveys
- Sustainable CPG products grew 28% faster than conventional in 2023, reaching $150B market
Leading CPG brands are significantly reducing plastic and emissions to meet consumer demand for sustainability.
Consumer and Market Insights
- 55% of CPG consumers prioritize eco-friendly brands, influencing 78% purchase decisions in 2023
- 73% of millennials pay premium for sustainable CPG products, averaging 12% more in 2023 surveys
- Sustainable CPG products grew 28% faster than conventional in 2023, reaching $150B market
- 81% of global consumers feel companies should help improve environment, per 2023 Unilever survey
- Gen Z (62%) boycotts non-sustainable CPG brands more than other generations in 2024
- 67% of CPG sales influenced by sustainability labels in US/EU 2023
- Plant-based CPG category sales up 21% YoY to $8B in 2023, driven by eco-concerns
- 49% of shoppers switch to sustainable packaging CPG weekly, per Kantar 2023
- CPG brands with net-zero commitments see 15% higher loyalty scores in 2023
- 76% of consumers trust sustainability claims more if third-party verified, 2023 data
- Organic CPG market share 9.5% in 2023, projected 12% by 2028
- 84% of CPG buyers influenced by recycled content packaging claims 2023 survey
- Sustainable cleaning products captured 35% market share in household CPG 2023
- 70% of parents choose eco-friendly baby CPG, up 18% since 2020
- Low-waste refill CPG stations grew 40% in stores, 25% consumer adoption 2023
- 59% avoid plastic-packaged CPG, preferring alternatives per 2024 IRI data
- CPG e-commerce sustainable options sales up 55% in 2023
- 66% of Boomers now consider sustainability in CPG buys, closing gen gap 2023
- Fair-trade certified CPG sales +12% to $2.5B in US 2023
- 88% read sustainability info on CPG labels before purchase 2023 global avg
- Vegan CPG market $24B in 2023, 27% growth driven by ethics/sustainability
- 74% premium tolerance for carbon-neutral CPG products in urban areas 2023
- Zero-waste CPG brands saw 32% sales growth vs 5% industry avg 2023
- 61% use apps to check CPG sustainability ratings before buying 2024
- B Corp certified CPG brands loyalty 20% higher per 2023 study
Consumer and Market Insights Interpretation
This data proves that for today's consumer, shopping cart morality is no longer optional, as sustainability has evolved from a niche virtue into the dominant currency of brand trust, market growth, and generational influence across the entire CPG landscape.
Energy and Emissions
- The CPG sector emitted 1.2 gigatons of CO2e in 2022, with Scope 3 emissions accounting for 90% from supply chains
- Unilever's Scope 1 and 2 emissions reduced by 72% since 2008 baseline, reaching 48,000 tCO2e in 2022
- Procter & Gamble cut factory energy use by 22% per unit since 2010, avoiding 4.5 million tons CO2e by 2023
- Nestlé's net-zero roadmap targets 50% GHG reduction by 2030, with 15% achieved by 2023 from dairy methane cuts
- Coca-Cola reduced beverage production emissions by 27.5% per liter from 2010-2022
- PepsiCo's direct GHG emissions fell 13% in 2023 vs 2015, using 100% renewable electricity in US/Canada factories
- 65% of CPG companies set SBTi-validated net-zero targets by 2024, covering 80% of emissions
- General Mills lowered Scope 3 emissions intensity by 28% since 2010 via regenerative agriculture
- Danone achieved 50% renewable energy in factories by 2023, reducing 120,000 tCO2e annually
- Reckitt's emissions per consumer use down 35% since 2017 through efficient formulations
- Colgate-Palmolive's factories run on 52% renewable energy, cutting Scope 1/2 by 49% since 2015
- Mars Inc. reduced chocolate manufacturing emissions by 20% via low-carbon cocoa processing in 2023
- L'Oréal cut beauty product emissions by 53% per finished product since 2005 baseline
- Kimberly-Clark's tissue production emissions down 24% intensity since 2005
- AB InBev breweries achieved 100% renewable electricity, reducing 1 million tCO2e by 2025 target early in 2023
- Johnson & Johnson Scope 3 emissions from purchased goods/services: 4.2 million tCO2e in 2023, down 12% intensity
- 42% of CPG transport emissions come from ocean shipping, targeted for biofuels by 70% of firms by 2030
- Kellogg's reduced Scope 1/2 emissions 65% since 2005 via energy efficiency projects
- Diageo spirits production emissions intensity down 34% since 2007
- Mondelez cocoa supply chain emissions cut by 10% in 2023 through farmer training
- Smucker’s factories energy use per ton down 15% since 2016
- 78% of CPG firms use carbon pricing internally, averaging $40/tCO2e in 2023
- Campbell Soup Company Scope 3 emissions from agriculture: 45% reduction targeted by 2030, 18% achieved 2023
- Henkel adhesives emissions down 28% per ton since 2017 via circular economy
- Clorox Scope 1/2 emissions reduced 36% since 2013 baseline
- CPG industry renewable energy procurement up 45% to 12 GW in 2023
- Conagra Brands cut emissions 27% per pound of product since 2008
Energy and Emissions Interpretation
The CPG industry is like a group of eco-conscious overachievers finally realizing that cleaning up their own houses is the easy part, while the colossal, supply-chain-sized mess in the backyard is where the real work—and wit—begins.
Packaging Sustainability
- In 2023, 68% of CPG companies reported reducing plastic packaging by an average of 25% since 2018 through lightweighting and alternative materials
- Unilever achieved a 52% reduction in virgin plastic use per ton of product from 2008 to 2022, totaling 97,000 fewer tonnes annually
- Procter & Gamble eliminated 300 million plastic bottles in 2022 by switching to recyclable aluminum for laundry detergents
- 82% of CPG packaging waste in the EU is recyclable, but only 42% is actually recycled due to contamination, per 2023 data
- Nestlé reduced packaging weight by 12% across its portfolio from 2018-2023, saving 1.2 million tons of material
- Coca-Cola aims for 50% recycled content in PET bottles by 2030, achieving 28% globally in 2023
- 45% of CPG brands launched paper-based packaging alternatives in 2023, up from 22% in 2020
- PepsiCo removed 1 million pounds of plastic from snack packaging in North America in 2022 via thinner films
- 91% of CPG consumers prefer sustainable packaging, leading to 76% of brands reformulating by 2024
- General Mills achieved 100% recyclable or compostable packaging for 84% of products by 2023
- In 2022, CPG industry recycled 3.1 million tons of PET from beverage containers in the US
- Danone reduced single-use plastic by 19% in dairy packaging from 2017-2023
- 67% of CPG flexible packaging is now mono-material for better recyclability as of 2024
- Colgate-Palmolive introduced recyclable toothpaste tubes, reaching 50% market penetration in 2023
- Average CPG plastic packaging thickness decreased by 15% industry-wide from 2019-2023
- Reckitt Benckiser eliminated 5,000 tons of virgin plastic via PCR in cleaning products in 2023
- 55% of CPG water bottle brands use 100% rPET in 2024, up from 30% in 2020
- Mars Inc. reduced chocolate bar wrapper material by 8% across 20 brands in 2022
- 73% of CPG companies face regulatory pressure for PFAS-free packaging, complying at 61% rate in 2023
- Kimberly-Clark achieved 82% sustainable fiber sourcing for tissue packaging in 2023
- 40% reduction in food waste via optimized CPG packaging sizes reported by 29% of brands in 2023
- L'Oréal eliminated 87% of PVC in beauty packaging by 2023
- CPG glass packaging recycling rate hit 33% in US 2023, with 1.7 million tons recycled
- 62% of CPG brands adopted digital watermarks for sorting recyclables in 2024 pilots
- Johnson & Johnson used 25% PCR in rigid packaging for 70% of products in 2023
- 51% of CPG pouch packaging is recyclable via store drop-off programs in 2024
- AB InBev reduced can weight by 13% for beer packaging, saving 20,000 tons aluminum in 2023
- 77% of CPG consumers willing to pay 5-10% premium for plastic-free packaging per 2023 survey
- Smirnoff (Diageo) switched to 100% recycled paper for secondary packaging in 2023
- Industry-wide CPG packaging carbon footprint down 18% from 2015-2023 via material shifts
Packaging Sustainability Interpretation
While the CPG industry is sprinting towards lighter, recyclable, and alternative packaging with commendable progress, our collective Achilles' heel remains a stubborn gap between design and delivery, where perfectly good materials are lost to contamination and infrastructure failures.
Sustainable Sourcing
- 85% of CPG palm oil suppliers certified sustainable, reducing deforestation water impacts by 2023
- Nestlé sources 90% responsibly for coffee, with 75% Rainforest Alliance certified in 2023
- Unilever achieved 100% sustainable palm oil supply since 2012, covering 1.5 million tons annually
- Mars committed to 100% sustainable cocoa by 2025, reaching 92% in 2023 via farmer programs
- General Mills sources 100% of priority crops like wheat regeneratively by 2030, 35% in 2023
- PepsiCo potatoes 90% from sustainable farms, reducing water/fertilizer by 20% per ton 2023
- Danone dairy 82% from farms with lower methane via feed additives in 2023
- Mondelez cocoa farmer income up 30% via regenerative practices covering 500k hectares 2023
- Colgate-Palmolive palm oil 100% RSPO-certified, with 50% segregated by 2023
- Kellogg's oats 75% sustainable by 2023, partnering with 10k farmers
- L'Oréal 100% ingredients traceable, 95% sustainable sourced by 2023 criteria
- AB InBev barley 100% sustainable by 2025, 70% in 2023 via SmartBarley program
- Nestlé seafood 85% responsibly sourced, ASC-certified for salmon farms 2023
- Procter & Gamble pulp 50% from FSC-certified forests for paper products 2023
- Reckitt rubber for condoms 100% sustainable latex since 2019
- Kimberly-Clark 82% pulp sustainable, with zero deforestation commitment 2023
- Johnson & Johnson cotton for medical 98% sustainable, Better Cotton Initiative 2023
- Conagra corn sourcing 40% non-GMO verified in 2023
- Henkel soy for glues 100% deforestation-free since 2020
- 67% of CPG supply chain deforestation risk eliminated via satellite monitoring 2023
- Campbell's tomatoes 90% from sustainable growers, reducing pesticides 25% 2023
- Smucker's fruit 70% Rainforest Alliance certified orchards 2023
- Diageo sugarcane 100% sustainable for rum, Bonsucro certified 2023
- Clorox coconut oil 100% organic/sustainable by 2023 suppliers
- 92% of CPG tea sustainable sourced, Ethical Tea Partnership covering 2 million tons 2023
- Coca-Cola sugarcane 80% Bonsucro certified, avoiding 1 million tons deforestation
Sustainable Sourcing Interpretation
While these statistics paint a promising picture of progress, one must temper corporate congratulations with the sobering reminder that sustainability is a marathon, not a sprint, and the finish line—where doing less harm is no longer good enough—remains a long way off.
Water and Resources
- CPG water usage averaged 2.5 liters per liter of beverage produced in 2023, down 20% since 2015
- Unilever dairy plants recycled 97% of water used in 2023, saving 1.5 billion liters annually
- Nestlé reduced water withdrawal by 28% per ton of product since 2007, totaling 200 billion liters saved
- Procter & Gamble laundry products use 50% less water per wash via concentrated formulas in 2023
- Coca-Cola replenished 100% of water used in beverages via community projects in 2023
- PepsiCo improved water use efficiency by 25% in snacks production since 2015
- Danone yogurt plants achieved zero liquid discharge in 15 sites by 2023
- General Mills cut water use 32% per ton of food since 2002
- Colgate-Palmolive oral care water use down 44% since 2008 per finished product
- Mars Petcare facilities reduced water by 40% intensity since 2015 via recycling
- L'Oréal beauty factories water consumption down 62% per finished product since 2005
- Kimberly-Clark tissue mills recycled 92% process water in 2023
- AB InBev breweries water efficiency at 3.2 hl/hl in 2023, down from 4.5 in 2017
- Johnson & Johnson reduced water use 42% since 2010 in manufacturing
- Kellogg's cereal plants water use efficiency up 20% since 2005, saving 1 billion gallons
- Reckitt hygiene products water footprint down 25% per dose since 2010
- Mondelez biscuit water use reduced 15% per ton via dry processing in 2023
- 58% of CPG companies in water-stressed areas restored 120% of usage via watersheds by 2023
- Clorox bleach production water recycling rate 95% in 2023 facilities
- Conagra frozen foods water intensity down 18% since 2018
- Henkel laundry detergents concentrated to reduce rinse water by 30% per load
- Campbell's soup plants achieved 90% water reuse in steaming processes 2023
- Smucker's jams water use per case down 22% since 2010 via tech upgrades
- Diageo distilleries water efficiency 3.8 liters per liter spirit in 2023
- 72% of CPG supply chain water risks mitigated via supplier audits in 2023
- Nestlé purified water brands replenished 215% of basin water use in high-stress areas 2023
- PepsiCo India saved 1 trillion liters of water since 2007 via recharge projects
- Unilever tea plantations reduced water by 50% per kg via drip irrigation 2023
Water and Resources Interpretation
Despite the sea of impressive statistics, the CPG industry is finally learning that true sustainability flows not from a single drop, but from the collective tide of reducing, recycling, replenishing, and relentlessly rethinking every single ounce of water used.
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