RBC GAM takes a look at the risks and investment opportunities surrounding global plastics pollution and the growth of sustainable packaging.
By Corporate Governance and Responsible Investment Team, RBC GAM
In 1869, the first synthetic plastic was made. Its inventor was motivated by the promise of US$10,000 (CAD$13,360) for the creation of a substitute for ivory. Ironically, as demand for ivory was devastating the world’s population of wild elephants, plastic was praised for its ability to “protect the natural world from the destructive forces of human need.” Plastics have since become ubiquitous in our society. But they are certainly no longer praised for their effect on the natural world.
Plastic has significantly contributed to the planet’s environmental degradation for two main reasons:
Recycling, although beneficial, offers an imperfect solution. Despite recycling efforts, most plastics end up in landfills or in the environment. In fact, of the estimated nine billion tons of plastic that have ever been produced, only nine percent has been recycled.
Recently, awareness of this issue has garnered significant media attention, with a focus on the discarded plastics that have made their way into our oceans. The headlines are numerous and shocking, with images of the “Great Pacific Garbage Patch” and animals trapped in plastic rings. The numbers are equally alarming. Some scientists estimate that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean (by weight). Others claim there is currently anywhere between 150 million and 300 million tons of plastic floating in oceans, with eight million additional tons entering the water each year.
Given the severity and scope of the issue, action on plastics pollution is being taken globally. The UN Environment Program launched the Clean Seas Campaign in February 2017, with the goal of dramatically reducing marine litter, ocean plastics pollution was at the centre of discussions at the 2018 G7 Summit and countless businesses and governments – at all levels – are making commitments to ban single-use plastic.
In part, this action is in response to rising global sensitivity to plastics pollution, resulting in changing consumer preferences and regulatory pressure. In RBC Global Asset Management’s (RBC GAM) view, the prominence of this environmental issue has significant implications for investors. RBC GAM has now seen this discussion move into the boardrooms of investee companies.
Perhaps galvanized by public sentiment and regulatory developments, investors have been swift to take action on plastics pollution. Recently, investors have been filing prominent shareholder proposals in North America calling on companies to consider the impact of their product packaging on the environment. Proponents cite material financial, environmental, reputational and operational risks as reasons for support. They are asking the companies in which they’re invested to report on how they’re managing these risks. Indicative of public sentiment on the issue, shareholder proposals related to sustainable packaging have been receiving high levels of support – well above the average level traditionally seen for environmental and social shareholder proposals.
As more companies and governments announce reduction targets related to plastics pollution, or even outright bans of plastic products, the risks associated with the use of non-sustainable packaging also increase. The UN Environment Progam’s 2018 report on single-use plastics found:
Starbucks, McDonald’s, Ikea, American Airlines, Disney and American Express are just some of the companies that have announced high-profile bans on plastic straws. A number of companies have also committed to researching and developing a more sustainable solution. And more than 40 UK companies have signed the UK Plastics Pact. This agreement is focused on three main areas:
The other side of the plastics pollution equation is the supply side. The packaging industry has been or will be subject to developing industry trends, including:
In 2017, during the U.S. holiday season, online shopping exceeded in-store purchases for the first time. It’s estimated that by 2020, online shopping could account for nearly 15 percent of all global retail sales, according to MSCI ESG Research LLC. Accordingly, consumer preference for online shopping could significantly increase demand for packaging. And the growth in emerging markets has led to increased consumption in those same markets and a greater need for packaging.
The negative social and environmental consequences of the packaging required to meet the world’s increasing demand has been met with resistance from consumers who are demanding improvements in safety and environmental impacts. In addition,the packaging industry faces increasing costs. Overall, significant investments may be required for suppliers both to meet consumer demand for sustainable packaging and to improve their environmental performance.
Plastics pollution and sustainable packaging have become a material issue for investors. This is due to the forces of changing consumer preferences, environmental regulations, pressure from industry peers making headline grabbing, anti-plastic commitments, and trends pressuring the packaging industry amidst a period of global sensitivity to plastics pollution. Significant reputational, financial,regulatory and operational risks are now associated with corporate contributions to this global issue.
RBC GAM and its Corporate Governance and Responsible Investment (CGRI) team are committed to understanding and evaluating this evolving issue. The CGRI team, formed in 2014, advances the integration of ESG principles into investment analysis by RBC GAM’s investment teams, collaborates with like-minded investors and engages with lawmakers or regulators.
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