Big Food and the rise of plastic-related risk

The document argues that 'Big Food' companies face escalating risks across three domains: waste, climate, and health. It highlights the 'Brussels Effect,' where strict EU directives on single-use plastics and chemical safety set global standards. The report warns that failure to transition from linear 'take-make-waste' models to circular reuse systems exposes companies to legal action, financial penalties, and loss of brand value, particularly among millennial and Gen Z consumers.

• Plastic production is a significant driver of climate change, with the 'plastic economy' described as fundamentally inconsistent with the Paris Agreement due to its reliance on fossil fuel feedstocks and energy-intensive processes.

APA

ClientEarth (2021). Big Food and the rise of plastic-related risk. https://www.clientearth.org/media/4wdgdxyn/material-issues-big-food-and-the-rise-of-plastic-related-risk.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. Big Food and the rise of plastic-related risk. 2021. https://www.clientearth.org/media/4wdgdxyn/material-issues-big-food-and-the-rise-of-plastic-related-risk.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=ClientEarth |title=Big Food and the rise of plastic-related risk |date=September 2021 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/4wdgdxyn/material-issues-big-food-and-the-rise-of-plastic-related-risk.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{clientearth2021big, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{Big Food and the rise of plastic-related risk}}, institution = {ClientEarth}, year = {2021}, month = sep, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/4wdgdxyn/material-issues-big-food-and-the-rise-of-plastic-related-risk.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }