Papa John's, Quizno's, Wendy's cited among brands with poorest sustainability practices

As You Sow, a San Franciso-based nonprofit organization that promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility, released a new report, "Waste and Opportunity 2015: Environmental Progress and Challenges in Food, Beverage, and Consumer Goods Packaging," that reviews packaging practices of 47 QSR, fast casual, pizza and beverage chains and consumer good/grocery companies, the company announced.

The report highlights the 'leaders and laggards'  of packaging practices. While plastic packaging is the fastest growing form of packaging, according to the announcement, only 14 percent of it is recycled, the waste from contributes to $11.4 billion in potential recycling revenue.

As You Sow's research found that many companies lack sustainable packaging policies and systems for recycling. The resulting waste contributes to pollution of oceans, lakes and rivers and misses an opportunity to create new jobs from more recycling efforts, the company said. The report recommends more brand leadership to boost U.S. recycling rates and enhance sustainability.

None of the 47 brands studied achieved the rank of "Best Practices."

Key findings include:

• Starbucks and McDonald's were cited for "Better Practices."
• Dunkin' Brands, Subway, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Panera Bread, and Yum! Brands were categorized as "Needs Improvement."
• Arby's, Quizno's, Burger King, Wendy's, Jack in the Box, Dairy Queen, Domino's Pizza, and Papa John's Pizza were identified as "Poor" for showing little to no leadership on packaging sustainability, based on information they make public.
• The report shows that, with the exception of Starbucks, none of the QSR brands analyzed has aggressively sought front-of-house recycling for part or all of its packaging, system-wide.
• The small food chain "Pret A Manger," with 60 sites nationwide, is the only company that offers front-of-house recycling and composting at all of its U.S. locations.  
• New Belgium Brewing, Coca-Cola, Nestlé Waters NA, and PepsiCo were cited for "Better Practices."
• Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Diageo, and Anheuser Busch were categorized as "Needs Improvement."
• Heineken, MillerCoors, Boston Beer, and Red Bull were identified as "Poor" for showing little to no leadership on packaging sustainability, based on information they make public.

Conrad MacKerron, senior vice president and report author, As You Sow, said in a statement, "We found that most leading U.S. fast food, beverage, and packaged goods are coming up significantly short of where they should be when it comes to the environmental aspects of packaging. These companies have not sufficiently prioritized packaging source reduction, recyclability, compostability, recycled content, and recycling policies.  Increased attention to these key attributes of packaging sustainability would result in more efficient utilization of postconsumer packaging, higher U.S. recycling rates, reduced ocean plastic pollution, and new green recycling jobs."

Andrew Behar, CEO, As You Sow, said, "U.S.-based companies that take responsibility for financing the recycling of packaging in scores of other countries fight that responsibility here in the U.S. without offering viable alternatives. This industry foot-dragging is one of the primary reasons we recycle only 14 percent of plastic packaging in the U.S. The more we boost recycling rates, the more we reduce the use of virgin natural resources and mitigate emissions that contribute to climate change."