Yum Brands, the quick service restaurant brand behind KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, shared updates this week on efforts to make its packaging more sustainable, following the rollout of its “harmonized packaging policy” in 2022. Currently, about 16% of average overall waste generated at restaurants is corrugated cardboard, 18% is paper packaging and other paper and 18% is mixed plastics.

In addition to those plastics reduction and transition goals, Yum’s packaging policy highlighted a commitment to sustainable sourcing of paper-based packaging and an aim of removing added PFAS, phthalates and BPA from packaging by 2025. The company said it would work to expand reusable packaging system pilots and test and integrate more recoverable paper and paperboard packaging solutions. The 2022 policy also said Yum would conduct an assessment “to better understand areas where more recycled content can be included to inform goal setting across all brands by 2023.” It said it would begin disclosures to show progress in 2024.

The company said in its new 2022 sustainability report that as it seeks to eliminate unnecessary and unrecoverable plastics, it’s shifting materials. For example, U.S. Taco Bell restaurants now use recyclable paper wraps. Taco Bell is also piloting a 30-ounce polypropylene beverage cup made with 10% recycled content. Another Yum brand, The Habit Burger Grill, has transitioned plastic to-go bags to paper, which has eliminated some 165 tons of plastic. Habit is also testing molded fiber packaging for salad bowls.

Earlier this year, a resolution from shareholder advocacy nonprofit As You Sow called for Yum to issue a report describing how it would reduce its plastics use by shifting away from single-use packaging. Yum advised shareholders to vote against it, noting its previously announced packaging sustainability efforts. During the May 18 shareholder meeting, 36.9% of the overall shareholder vote supported the resolution.