The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the UN Environment Programme released the ‘Global Commitment 2025 Progress Report’, which highlights advancements in reducing plastic waste.

SC Johnson, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of household cleaning and other consumer and professional products, accomplished two key 2025 plastic reduction goals early and, according to the report, leads the industry in virgin plastic reduction. “We’ve made real progress, but as I often say, I wish we were even further along,” said Fisk Johnson, Chair and CEO of SC Johnson.

“We’ve learned that voluntary actions, such as using more recycled plastic in our products, can only go so far, unfortunately. The solution to the plastic waste crisis requires strong national standards like federal Extended Producer Responsibility to make companies, including ours, accountable for improving recycling systems, driving innovation, and funding effective collection programs. EPR works.

“Around the world, it’s raised recycling rates and reduced waste — but it takes all of us working together to make it succeed.”

2025 Progress and Areas of Opportunity

The company met two key targets ahead of schedule:

  • Virgin Plastic Reduction:Since 2018 (when Global Commitment launched), SC Johnson has reduced its virgin plastic use by 33 percent, surpassing its 30 percent goal. The company leads the industry in this category.
  • Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) Plastic:SC Johnson’s focus on recycled content has driven a fourfold increase in PCR use since 2018, reaching 25 percent across its plastic packaging and utilizing more than 16,000 metric tons of recycled material in 2024.

In addition, SC Johnson has increased the recyclability of its plastic packaging from 49 percent in 2018 to 64 percent today.

While many businesses are still working to meet a challenging 100 percent benchmark for plastic packaging that’s reusable, recyclable, or compostable, SC Johnson continues to reduce the use of difficult-to-recycle materials, eliminate black plastic, and incorporate recovered coastal plastic (RCP). The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the UN Environment Programme also announced the Global Commitment 2030, in which SC Johnson set new public goals:

  • 55 percent reduction in virgin plastic use from 2018 levels.
  • 55 percent recycled content in plastic packaging.
  • 90 percent of plastic packaging designed to be recyclable.

The company remains focused on reducing plastic consumption, scaling circular design, and deepening collaboration and advocacy to help establish global rules that make circular packaging the norm. The company’s 2030 targets reflect its continued commitment to advancing systems that keep materials in use and out of the environment.