P&G snubs ‘UK-focused’ Courtauld 2 but commits to pack cuts

But P&G said that while it was “committed to sustainability and reductions in packaging” it would not be signing up to CC2. It was a signatory to the first Courtauld Commitment.

Kirstie Hawkes, sustainability affairs manager, said: “As an international company, we believe engaging at an international level will be the most effective way of making a meaningful difference and are actively involved in the Consumer Goods Forum.”

Last year P&G ruled out signing up to the British Retail Consortium’s common recycling logo because it was “not appropriate” to have a country-specific logo.

Hawkes added: “We are committed to developing and marketing at least $50bn in cumulative sales of ‘sustainable innovation products’ (SIP) that have an improved environmental profile.”

“A 10% or more reduction in packaging would enable a product to be counted as a SIP.”

Meanwhile, the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE) has lent its support to CC2.

Chairman Richard Hands welcomed the move away from weight-based targets to a more sustainable use of resources over a product’s lifecycle and highlighted the sector’s work with local authorities to increase recycling rates.

“However, most obviously missing from CC2 is any acknowledgement of the role that independently-certified renewable materials have to play in a low-carbon economy. We would strongly argue that renewable content should be considered alongside recycled content and that its omission is an opportunity missed,” said Hands.

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