The Recycling Partnership, Systemiq develop tool to track packaging waste reduction goals

The Recycling Partnership, Falls Church, Virginia, and Systemiq, a B Corporation based in London focused on solving social and environmental problems, have launched Plastic IQ as a digital tool to help U.S. companies develop plastic packaging waste reduction strategies. Created with support from Walmart, Plastic IQ is a data-based planning tool that allows companies to prioritize actions to address plastic packaging waste, meet sustainability goals and accelerate progress toward a circular economy.

According to a news release from The Recycling Partnership, Plastic IQ is available at no cost so that companies of all sizes and resources can analyze their plastic packaging data and calculate how their strategies impact their costs as well as plastic and carbon emissions impact.

“Plastic waste is a global challenge that must be addressed with science, speed and collaboration. No single entity can alone drive the transformative and widespread solutions we so critically need,” says Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership. “That’s where Plastic IQ comes in. Driven by data and free for all to use, it provides decision makers at U.S. companies with a common tool to advance real-time solutions. By connecting the dots between goals, actions and measurement, we believe Plastic IQ will accelerate the pace of meaningful change.”

According to The Recycling Partnership, Plastic IQ analyzes user data and helps companies calculate the circularity of their plastic packaging from production and consumption through to end of life. The tool takes companies through a series of steps to identify ways to use less plastic and promote better packaging. Paired with a solutions database of resources and implementation guidance, Plastic IQ offers actions that users can take to strengthen their sustainability goals, respond to customer and stakeholder expectations and implement cost-saving measures.

“Many companies are now setting targets and joining initiatives to address the challenge of plastic waste,” says Ben Dixon, partner at Systemiq. “We often hear that the plastics issue is complex for companies to navigate and set strategies. Information is power, and Plastic IQ is the solution that provides companies with the economic and environmental information needed to prioritize action, compare strategies against industry best practices and drive collective action.”

“Walmart supported the development of Plastic IQ to help companies better understand and identify solutions that can improve their plastic packaging strategies and minimize their plastic waste,” adds Kathleen McLaughlin, executive vice president and chief sustainability officer at Walmart.

The Recycling Partnership reports that Plastic IQ has been guided by a group of brand owners, retailers and organizations to ensure its maximum impact for industry. To date, the following companies have committed to use Plastic IQ and signed on to help catalyze the change needed: Colgate-Palmolive Company, Grove Collaborative, Happy Family Organics, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Health, Kellogg Company, Mondelēz International, Nestlé USA, Unilever and Walmart.

Additionally, the following organizations are providing guidance and helping with Plastic IQ: As You Sow, Association of Plastic Recyclers, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, The Sustainability Consortium, U.S. Plastics Pact and World Wildlife Fund.

Plastic IQ can be accessed online.