Keurig Laser-Focused on 100 Percent K-Cup Recyclability by 2020

Keurig Green Mountain Inc.’s top sustainability priority is ensuring that 100 percent of its K-Cup packs are recyclable by 2020, according to the company’s 10th annual sustainability report. 

The company said in a statement it is taking a “holistic approach” to find a solution to the challenge, “focusing on product design, recycling infrastructure, and the end-market development for the materials.” Keurig said it expects to make significant progress well before 2020, and is currently testing key design concepts for a K-Cup pack that can be easily separated and readily recycled in the majority of communities.

This includes supporting expansion of the recycling infrastructure so more materials can be conveniently recycled in more locations, the company said. In 2014, Keurig committed to invest $5 million over five years in recycling solutions via the Closed Loop Fund, a coalition of companies that are providing essential investments required to meet some of the larger challenges to recycling access in the United States.

“This year, we focused on identifying the opportunities and building the processes and partnerships necessary to deliver on our 2020 sustainability targets – steps that will also be integral to delivering on our core business objectives,” said Monique Oxender, Keurig’s chief sustainability officer. “We couldn’t do it without the engagement of employees across the organization, who enable us to continue to translate our company values into action.” 

Keurig is also focused on water stewardship and supply chain sustainability. In early 2014, corporate targets were set to help improve livelihoods and provide access to clean water in supply chain communities. Work performed in supply chain communities in 2014 showed significant overlap in the impact driven by these two work streams. As a result, water security is being folded into a revised supply chain livelihoods target. In fiscal year 2014, more than 383,000 people were positively impacted through Keurig-funded partner projects in its supply chain.  

Keurig has also committed to source 100 percent of primary agricultural and manufactured products by 2020 according to its established responsible sourcing guidelines. In fiscal year 2014, Keurig released updated guidelines to suppliers that reinforce the company’s efforts to help suppliers meet its high standards for quality, safety, and social and environmental responsibility. “Knowing where products originate is the first step toward responsible sourcing, and 64 percent of the company’s coffee was traceable to source in fiscal year 2014,” according to the report.