How SC Johnson is Reducing Plastic Pollution and Plastic Waste

SC Johnson is tackling plastic pollution on multiple fronts: redesigning packaging to use more post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, reducing virgin plastic, expanding reusable/refill options, advocating for coordinated global policy, and engaging the public through The Blue Paradox. The company reports it has met its 2025 plastics goals — including 25% PCR use and a 32% cut in virgin plastic vs. 2018 — while continuing to improve recyclability across product lines.

Plastic pollution is everywhere.

It’s filling up our landfills and spilling into our environment. And we are running out of time to turn around the damaging effects it is having on our lands and great oceans.

The challenges to stopping plastic pollution can seem daunting but overcoming them is possible. It starts with understanding the tangible things that make a meaningful difference and taking action to make those changes happen.

Why plastic pollution matters

Plastic pollution strains ecosystems and waste systems worldwide. According to UN Environment Program figures, roughly 430 million tons of plastic are produced annually and 19-23 million tons of plastic waste leak into aquatic ecosystems every year.

• Our progress on reducing plastic use and increasing circularity
  

  SC Johnson has met its 2025 plastics goals, including reaching 25% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and a 32% reduction in virgin plastic vs. 2018, while expanding reusable and recyclable packaging.

• Policy advocacy for coordinated, global solutions
  

  SC Johnson advocates for extended producer responsibility (EPR) and a global plastics treaty to scale impact with clear design and recycling rules.

• Raising awareness through The Blue Paradox
  

  The immersive exhibit at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago educates the public on ocean plastic and actions people can take.

• Working with partners to expand impact
  

  Partnerships help scale collection, reuse, and recycling initiatives globally. 

The challenge [is], how do we practically, most economically, and least disruptively preserve the benefits that plastic has brought to humanity, while preventing the vast amounts of plastic that end up in landfills or, even worse, end up in the environment where it can affect animal and human health." — SC Johnson Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson

This article was originally published on scjohnson.com.