{"id":21771,"date":"2019-04-15T22:12:27","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T22:12:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/?p=21771"},"modified":"2023-08-01T11:57:44","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T09:57:44","slug":"nestle-wanted-us-to-post-their-statement-here-it-is-with-a-few-clarifications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/story\/21771\/nestle-wanted-us-to-post-their-statement-here-it-is-with-a-few-clarifications\/","title":{"rendered":"Nestl\u00e9 wanted us to post their statement. Here it is\u2026 with a few clarifications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As those of you who signed our petition calling on Nestl\u00e9 to stop single-use plastic might have seen, this week Nestl\u00e9 responded. We thought it would be courteous to comply with their request to post their response, with a few clarifications:<\/p>\n\n

\"Action
Greenpeace Switzerland activists confront Nestl\u00e9 with its single-use plastic found in the world\u2019s oceans at the company’s Annual General Meeting on April 12th.
\u00a9 Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

\u201cTackling plastic pollution, especially in our oceans, is an urgent priority for us. We take this responsibility seriously. We support all efforts to raise awareness and find solutions to the plastic waste problem.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Great to hear that you support our efforts to find real solutions to the plastic pollution problem! And as we and our allies in the Break Free From Plastic global movement know, the only real solution is reducing the overall production of throwaway plastic packaging.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cIn April last year, we pledged to make 100% of our packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Just because plastic is \u201crecyclable\u201d does NOT mean it will actually be recycled. In fact, only 9% of the plastic ever produced has been recycled. So exactly what percentage are you planning to make REUSABLE?<\/p>\n\n

\u201cWe are committed to making a significant difference everywhere we operate.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

As Jane Goodall once said, \u201cWhat you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.\u201d Unfortunately, you\u2019ve already made a difference, and not in a good way, as communities and waterways around the world are now choked with plastic.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThat is why we have been working with governments, NGOs, suppliers, waste managers, retailers as well as other companies to take meaningful actions. As we deploy new solutions, we will never compromise the health of our consumers. The safety and quality of our foods and beverages are non-negotiable.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Thanks for saying you will never compromise the health of your consumers\u2014but it’s not healthy for people to live among piles of plastic waste, or for marine creatures to live in seas full of plastic. Plastic can even be found in our own bodies as microplastics, it’s been found in our water and in our food, and scientists are only just beginning to research and understand the implications of this.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cWe are determined to reduce our use of single-use plastics.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

Okay, well then do it. Because everything you are doing right now allows you to keep growing your single-use #PlasticMonster. You could start by being transparent about exactly how much plastic you are producing overall and setting up annual reduction goals.<\/p>\n\n

\"Freedom
Greenpeace together with the #breakfreefromplastic coalition conduct a beach cleanup activity and brand audit on Freedom Island, Para\u00f1aque City, Metro Manila, Philippines. The activity aims to name the brands most responsible for the plastic pollution happening in our oceans. A banner reads “Polluted by”, showing also the logos of the companies identified through the audit.
\u00a9 Biel Calderon \/ Greenpeace<\/div><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

\u201cWe are introducing reusable packaging, new delivery systems, and innovative business models. We are currently testing reusable ice cream containers for our H\u00e4agen-Dazs brand in the U.S. Dispensers for NESCAF\u00c9 and MILO are already available in many countries around the world. In early 2020, we will launch new water dispensers using state-of-the-art technology, allowing consumers to fill their own reusable bottles.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

We are happy to hear you are investing in reusable and refillable systems. Now you need to do so on a scale that\u2019s big enough to actually make a dent in the huge amount of plastic you are producing.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThese innovative models are promising. They are part of a broader set of actions, which include promoting recycling and developing novel biodegradable and compostable packaging solutions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n

We\u2019ll let our International Executive Director, Jennifer Morgan, answer this one.<\/p>\n\n

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