Target Agrees to Engage Corporate Peers on Foam Phase-out of Polystyrene Packaging in E-Commerce; As You Sow Withdraws Shareholder Proposal

OAKLAND, Calif., April 5, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As You Sow has withdrawn a shareholder proposal with Target Corp. that asks the company to phase out use of polystyrene packaging foam in its e-commerce operations as a result of  the company's willingness to work with its value chain and industry peers to discuss replacing foam with less harmful alternatives.

Polystyrene foam used for beverage cups, takeout containers, and packing materials is rarely recycled. Most used foam ends up in landfills, where it can remain for hundreds of years. Due to its light weight, it becomes readily airborne and is often swept into waterways. These materials in water break down into small indigestible pellets, which animals mistake for food. Ingestion of polystyrene can result in illness, death, and the destruction of marine ecosystems.

In light of these concerns, As You Sow filed shareholder proposals with Target and Amazon.com asking the companies to phase out use of foam packing materials.

Target has acknowledged concern about polystyrene foam production, the limited availability of recycling options, and foam's role in contributing to plastic pollution on land and in waterways. The company states that it does not use polystyrene foam in materials it ships directly to consumers.  However, foam remains as a packing material in goods from third parties who sell through Target online. The company has agreed to engage its value chain to discuss replacing foam with more sustainable alternatives.

"We are pleased that Target has committed to work with corporate partners and peers to press for alternatives to environmentally harmful foam," said Conrad MacKerron, As You Sow Senior Vice President. "With readily available alternatives for many applications, companies should stop using foam. This will reduce the level of plastics that find their way into lakes and oceans where they can do great harm."  Dell and Ikea have announced restrictions on use of foam.

As You Sow has also filed a proposal with McDonald's Corp. to stop using foam beverage cups globally after phasing them out in the U.S.  in 2013. . 

These corporate engagements are part of an initiative by As You Sow to move companies using disposable plastics to recycle, redesign, reduce, or phase them out as quickly as possible.

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CONTACT: Taraneh Arhamsadr, (510) 735-8157, [email protected]

SOURCE As You Sow

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