From beverage giants like Coca-Cola replenishing more water than they use to household names like Colgate sourcing all their U.S. electricity from renewables, the FMCG industry's sustainability revolution is delivering staggering, measurable results right now.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Unilever reported a 49% reduction in freshwater withdrawal in manufacturing operations per tonne of production since the 2008 baseline.
- Procter & Gamble achieved a 28% improvement in water efficiency in manufacturing sites globally from 2010 to 2022.
- Nestlé reduced water usage in beverages by 42% per litre of product between 2009 and 2021.
- General Mills reduced water use intensity by 24% in manufacturing from 2008 to 2021.
- In 2022, Unilever's Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions totaled 18 million tonnes CO2e, a 10% reduction from 2021.
- P&G reduced absolute GHG emissions from operations by 52% since 2010 baseline in 2022.
- Nestlé's GHG emissions from direct operations dropped 14% per tonne of product since 2010.
- Unilever eliminated 98% virgin plastic from black packaging by 2022.
- P&G committed to 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2030, 86% achieved in 2022.
- Nestlé aims for 100% recyclable packaging by 2025, reaching 96% in 2022.
- Unilever sourced 76% of agricultural raw materials sustainably in 2022.
- P&G achieved 96% sustainably sourced palm oil RSPO-certified in 2022.
- Nestlé's coffee 85% responsibly sourced via 4C/Nescafé Plan in 2022.
- Unilever diverted 99% of waste from landfill in manufacturing in 2022.
- P&G achieved zero waste to landfill in 140+ sites, 82% global in 2022.
Major FMCG companies are significantly reducing their water, energy, and packaging footprints.
Energy and GHG Emissions
- In 2022, Unilever's Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions totaled 18 million tonnes CO2e, a 10% reduction from 2021.
- P&G reduced absolute GHG emissions from operations by 52% since 2010 baseline in 2022.
- Nestlé's GHG emissions from direct operations dropped 14% per tonne of product since 2010.
- Coca-Cola achieved 25% renewable electricity in global operations by 2022.
- PepsiCo sourced 100% renewable electricity in US operations by 2022, reducing emissions by 20%.
- Danone's net-zero plan includes 50% renewable energy by 2025, reaching 35% in 2022.
- Reckitt committed to net-zero by 2040, with 28% renewable energy in 2022.
- Colgate-Palmolive reduced GHG emissions intensity by 48% since 2010 in 2022.
- Kimberly-Clark sourced 36% renewable energy globally in 2022.
- General Mills cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 30% since 2015 by 2022.
- Mondelez reduced GHG emissions by 33% per tonne of product since 2010.
- Kellogg Company achieved 40% renewable electricity in North America by 2022.
- Mars' Scope 3 emissions from supply chain represent 90% of total, targeted 27.5% reduction by 2025.
- Ferrero increased renewable energy use to 45% in factories by 2022.
- AB InBev reduced GHG emissions per litre of beer by 38% since 2008.
- Heineken's breweries run on 75% renewable energy in Europe by 2022.
- Carlsberg cut carbon emissions intensity by 23% per hl since 2008.
- Unilever powered 92% of energy needs with renewables in 2022.
- P&G's factories use 69% renewable electricity globally in 2022.
- Nestlé aims for net-zero by 2050, with 20% renewable energy in 2022.
- Coca-Cola installed 10 GW renewable capacity by 2022.
- PepsiCo's emissions from refrigeration reduced by 15% via HFC phase-out.
- Danone's Scope 3 emissions targeted 40% reduction by 2050, 10% progress in 2022.
- Reckitt's factories emission intensity down 25% since 2020.
- Colgate sourced 100% renewable electricity in US by 2022.
- Kimberly-Clark's GHG footprint reduced 22% absolute since 2015.
- General Mills' supply chain emissions down 16% per ton since 2010.
- Mondelez cocoa emissions reduced 20% via regenerative ag.
- Kellogg's global emissions intensity fell 25% since 2015.
- Mars petcare emissions cut 15% per kg via efficiency.
Energy and GHG Emissions Interpretation
Behind the buzzword bonanza of corporate sustainability, these figures represent a genuine, if incremental, scrubbing of the FMCG industry's dirty laundry, one hard-won percentage point at a time.
Packaging and Plastic Waste
- Unilever eliminated 98% virgin plastic from black packaging by 2022.
- P&G committed to 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2030, 86% achieved in 2022.
- Nestlé aims for 100% recyclable packaging by 2025, reaching 96% in 2022.
- Coca-Cola introduced 100% recycled PET bottles in select markets, covering 20% volume in 2022.
- PepsiCo reduced virgin plastic by 12% in beverage packaging since 2018.
- Danone achieved 99% recyclable packaging portfolio in 2022.
- Reckitt eliminated single-use plastic in 70% of products by 2022.
- Colgate-Palmolive's tubes 100% recyclable by 2025, 82% in 2022.
- Kimberly-Clark reduced plastic packaging by 15% per ton of product since 2018.
- General Mills hit 100% recyclable packaging in US by 2022.
- Mondelez used 25% recycled content in flexible packaging by 2022.
- Kellogg introduced paper-based liners in 50% of cereal boxes by 2022.
- Mars removed 28,000 tonnes of plastic packaging since 2018.
- Ferrero's Nutella jars 100% recycled glass, reducing waste by 10%.
- AB InBev used 50% recycled content in cans by 2022.
- Heineken's bottles 80% returnable glass in emerging markets.
- Carlsberg piloted plastic-free six-pack rings, scaling to 10% production.
- Unilever's refill stations reduced plastic use by 20% in pilots.
- P&G's Ariel pods use 50% less plastic than previous formats.
- Nestlé's coffee pods 85% recyclable aluminum by 2022.
- Coca-Cola's PlantBottle used 30% plant-based PET in 2022.
- PepsiCo's paper-based snack bags reduced plastic by 40%.
- Danone's Activia bottles 50% recycled PET.
- Reckitt's Dettol refills cut plastic by 60%.
- Colgate's plant-based tubes 20% of sales in 2022.
- Kimberly-Clark's FSC-certified paper packaging 95%.
- General Mills' fiber-based meat trays 100% recyclable.
- Mondelez's biscuit wrappers 30% mono-material for recyclability.
- Kellogg's Pringles tubes piloted paper-based, reducing plastic 90%.
- Mars Wrigley's gum wrappers recyclable, covering 100% portfolio.
Packaging and Plastic Waste Interpretation
The FMCG industry's sustainability race looks promising, with giants like Unilever, P&G, and Nestlé hitting high-nineties percentages on recyclable packaging, yet the final sprint to 100% remains, as these impressive near-completions starkly reveal the stubborn, last-mile challenge of eliminating virgin plastic entirely.
Sustainable Sourcing
- Unilever sourced 76% of agricultural raw materials sustainably in 2022.
- P&G achieved 96% sustainably sourced palm oil RSPO-certified in 2022.
- Nestlé's coffee 85% responsibly sourced via 4C/Nescafé Plan in 2022.
- Coca-Cola sourced 100% sustainable sugarcane in Europe by 2022.
- PepsiCo's potatoes 80% from sustainable farms under Fieldprint in 2022.
- Danone's dairy 92% from farms with low-carbon programs in 2022.
- Reckitt 100% RSPO palm oil segregated by 2022.
- Colgate-Palmolive 100% sustainable palm oil since 2015.
- Kimberly-Clark's pulp 80% from FSC-certified forests in 2022.
- General Mills sourced 100% US oats Rainforest Alliance by 2022.
- Mondelez's cocoa 100% traceable via Cocoa Life by 2025, 90% in 2022.
- Kellogg's wheat 75% sustainably farmed via Regenerative Ag.
- Mars' cocoa 100% via internal programs by 2023, 95% 2022.
- Ferrero's hazelnuts 98% traceable to farm in 2022.
- AB InBev's barley 100% sustainable by 2025, 70% in 2022.
- Heineken's malt 80% sustainable via Brewers Charter.
- Carlsberg's hops 100% sustainable sourced.
- Unilever's tea 100% sustainable via Rainforest Alliance.
- P&G's coconut 100% sustainable.
- Nestlé's milk 50% from regenerative farms in 2022.
- Coca-Cola's mangoes 100% sustainable in India.
- PepsiCo's oranges 90% sustainable for juices.
- Danone's almonds 100% regenerative.
- Reckitt's cotton for wipes 95% Better Cotton.
- Colgate's paper 100% FSC.
- Kimberly-Clark's bamboo sustainable 100%.
- General Mills' cocoa 100% Barry Callebaut sustainable.
- Mondelez's wheat 50% regenerative pilots.
- Kellogg's corn 60% sustainable.
- Mars' rice 100% sustainable for Uncle Ben's.
Sustainable Sourcing Interpretation
The statistics show a fascinating and competitive race where major FMCG companies are now flaunting their sustainable sourcing credentials like badges of honor, yet the numbers often feel more like a dizzying progress report than a definitive victory lap for the entire industry.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
- Unilever diverted 99% of waste from landfill in manufacturing in 2022.
- P&G achieved zero waste to landfill in 140+ sites, 82% global in 2022.
- Nestlé recycled 86% of packaging waste in operations 2022.
- Coca-Cola recycled 70% of bottles sold in 2022 globally.
- PepsiCo composted 90% of organic waste from factories.
- Danone reached zero food waste to landfill in dairy plants.
- Reckitt recycled 95% of manufacturing waste in 2022.
- Colgate-Palmolive zero non-hazardous waste to landfill globally.
- Kimberly-Clark recycled 95% of process waste.
- General Mills diverted 96% of waste from landfill in 2022.
- Mondelez recycled 92% of packaging materials in supply chain.
- Kellogg eliminated 1.2 million lbs food waste via donations.
- Mars achieved 98% waste recycling in petfood plants.
- Ferrero recycled 99% of production waste.
- AB InBev zero brewing waste to landfill.
- Heineken recycled 99.5% of brewery waste.
- Carlsberg 98% waste recovery rate in breweries.
- Unilever's consumer recycling programs collected 68,000 tonnes plastic.
- P&G's TerraCycle partnerships recycled 20,000 tons hard-to-recycle.
- Nestlé's Nespresso capsules 27% recycled rate globally 2022.
- Coca-Cola's World Without Waste recycled one bottle per sold.
- PepsiCo's closed-loop recycling for chips bags 50% rate.
- Danone's yogurt pots 75% recycled in Europe.
- Reckitt's Finish dishwasher pods 80% recyclable.
- Colgate's oral care recycling bins collected 5,000 tons.
- Kimberly-Clark's toilet paper cores recycled 100%.
- General Mills' flexible packaging 60% recycled content.
- Mondelez's cookie bags 40% post-consumer recycled.
- Kellogg's snack wrappers take-back program 30% participation.
- Mars' confectionery wrappers recyclable 95%.
Waste Reduction and Recycling Interpretation
It appears the industry giants have finally realized that while trash is ephemeral, landfills are tragically permanent, so they're now engaged in a surprisingly earnest arms race to see who can leave behind the least.
Water Management
- In 2022, Unilever reported a 49% reduction in freshwater withdrawal in manufacturing operations per tonne of production since the 2008 baseline.
- Procter & Gamble achieved a 28% improvement in water efficiency in manufacturing sites globally from 2010 to 2022.
- Nestlé reduced water usage in beverages by 42% per litre of product between 2009 and 2021.
- Coca-Cola set a goal to replenish 100% of water used in beverages by 2020, achieving 119% replenishment in 2022.
- PepsiCo improved water use efficiency by 25% in direct operations from 2015 to 2022.
- Danone decreased water withdrawal intensity by 35% per tonne of product since 2008.
- Reckitt Benckiser reduced water use in high-water-risk sites by 40% from 2010 to 2021.
- Colgate-Palmolive achieved 92% water replenishment rate for water used in manufacturing in 2022.
- Kimberly-Clark improved water efficiency by 30% per unit of production from 2015 to 2022.
- Mondelez International cut water usage by 38% per tonne of product since 2015.
- Kellogg Company achieved a 20% reduction in water use per tonne of food produced from 2015 to 2022.
- Mars Incorporated improved water efficiency by 27% in factories globally between 2015 and 2021.
- Ferrero Group reduced water consumption intensity by 22% from 2018 to 2022.
- AB InBev replenished 100% of water used in brewing operations in high-stress areas by 2022.
- Heineken reduced water usage per hectolitre of beer by 18% since 2010.
- Carlsberg Group improved water efficiency to 3.4 hl/hl in breweries by 2022 from 4.0 in 2015.
- Unilever's tea supply chain saw a 15% reduction in water use per kg of tea since 2010.
- P&G's water reintegration program restored 120% of freshwater used in 2021.
- Nestlé Waters North America reduced water use by 50% per litre in bottling plants since 2007.
- Coca-Cola's India operations replenished 107% of basin water use in 2022.
- PepsiCo's India facilities achieved 92% water positivity in 2022.
- Danone's dairy plants cut water use by 30% per litre of milk processed since 2010.
- Reckitt's hygiene products manufacturing reduced water by 25% intensity since 2015.
- Colgate's global factories improved water use efficiency by 45% since 2010 baseline.
- Kimberly-Clark's tissue production water use dropped 35% per ton since 2005.
- General Mills' yogurt plants reduced water by 40% per kg from 2010 to 2022.
- Mondelez's chocolate factories achieved 28% water savings per tonne since 2012.
- Kellogg's cereal production water intensity fell 18% from 2015 to 2022.
- Mars' petfood factories reduced water use by 32% per kg since 2015.
Water Management Interpretation
After reviewing the progress of these thirsty giants, it seems the corporate world is finally learning that to be truly sustainable, you don't just count the drops you take from the well, but also the ones you put back.
Water Water Management
- General Mills reduced water use intensity by 24% in manufacturing from 2008 to 2021.
Water Water Management Interpretation
If General Mills were a houseguest, they’ve become the type who turns off the faucet while brushing their teeth, cutting their water intensity by nearly a quarter since 2008.
Sources & References
- Reference 1UNILEVERunilever.comVisit source
- Reference 2USus.pg.comVisit source
- Reference 3NESTLEnestle.comVisit source
- Reference 4COCA-COLACOMPANYcoca-colacompany.comVisit source
- Reference 5PEPSICOpepsico.comVisit source
- Reference 6DANONEdanone.comVisit source
- Reference 7RECKITTreckitt.comVisit source
- Reference 8COLGATEPALMOLIVEcolgatepalmolive.comVisit source
- Reference 9KIMBERLY-CLARKkimberly-clark.comVisit source
- Reference 10GENERALMILLSgeneralmills.comVisit source
- Reference 11MONDELEZINTERNATIONALmondelezinternational.comVisit source
- Reference 12KELLOGGCOMPANYkelloggcompany.comVisit source
- Reference 13MARSmars.comVisit source
- Reference 14FERREROferrero.comVisit source
- Reference 15AB-INBEVab-inbev.comVisit source
- Reference 16THEHEINEKENCOMPANYtheheinekencompany.comVisit source
- Reference 17CARLSBERGGROUPcarlsberggroup.comVisit source
- Reference 18NESTLE-WATERSNAnestle-watersna.comVisit source
- Reference 19COCA-COLAINDIAcoca-colaindia.comVisit source
- Reference 20PEPSICOINDIApepsicoindia.co.inVisit source