Shareholder advocacy wins plastic commitment from Target

Target agreed on May 5 to set a goal for eliminating virgin plastic from its private brand packaging for fast-moving goods.

Henry Hintermeister

Target has committed to reducing its plastic waste, thanks to the work of Green Century Capital Management° and coalition partner As You Sow. Green Century is, like PIRG, a member of The Public

Interest Network. In response to a shareholder proposal filed by Green Century and As You Sow, the retail company agreed on May 5 to set a goal for eliminating virgin plastic from its private brand packaging for fast-moving goods — including food and beverage items, household cleaning supplies and personal care products.

Target’s announcement came amid a wave of corporate commitments to reduce virgin plastic use secured in part by Green Century.

“Target’s new commitment to virgin plastic reduction is an admirable first step, especially if the company embraces product redesign, reuse and refill in achieving their reduction goals,” said PIRG Zero Waste Campaign Director Alex Truelove.

PIRG is encouraging Target to reduce overall plastic consumption by phasing out single-use plastic packaging from its operations.

 

Photo: Target announced May 5 that it would reduce virgin plastic use for its private-brand packaging for fast-moving goods, following a shareholder proposal filed by Green Century Capital Management. Credit: Mike Mozart via Flickr, CC BY 2.0

 

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About Green Century Capital Management

°Green Century Capital Management, Inc. (Green Century) is the investment advisor to the Green
Century Funds (The Funds). The Green Century Funds are the first family of fossil fuel free, responsible,
and diversified mutual funds in the United States. Green Century Capital Management hosts an award-
winning and in-house shareholder advocacy program and is the only mutual fund company in the U.S.
wholly owned by environmental and public health nonprofit organizations.

*As of March 31, 2021, Target Corporation comprised 1.05%, 0.56%, and 0.00% of the Green Century
Balanced Fund, the Green Century Equity Fund, and the Green Century International Index Fund
respectively. As of the same date, other securities mentioned were not held in the portfolios of any of
the Green Century Funds. References to specific securities, which will change due to ongoing
management of the Funds, should not be construed as a recommendation by the Funds, their
administrator, or their distributor.

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The Green Century Funds are distributed by UMB Distribution Services, LLC. 235 W Galena Street,
Milwaukee, WI 53212. 5/21

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Henry Hintermeister