John,

Almost every bite of food we eat was wrapped in plastic before it ended up on our plates.

Most plastic packaging is designed to be used once and then discarded. Less than 10% of all plastic is ever recycled -- which means the vast majority of food packaging ends up in landfills or as pollution.1

Sysco is the largest food distribution company in America.2 By reducing its use of plastic packaging, Sysco could make a huge impact on the amount of plastic waste entering the world.

Tell Sysco: Phase out wasteful plastic throughout your supply chain.

Cutting back on plastic food packaging isn't just a matter of sustainability. It's also an important way we can protect our health.

The health risks of plastic packaging on food are not fully understood, but some research does point to potential dangerous health impacts of certain plastics. Researchers have found plastic particles in bottled water and other kinds of food and drink, indicating that food and drink packaged in plastic may contain more plastic than we previously thought.3,4

Tiny microplastic particles in food can then enter the human body -- where they may be causing harm. Some research points to harmful impacts from microplastics on our gut microbiomes, lungs, reproductive systems, and more.5

Take action to urge Sysco to reduce its use of plastic packaging today.

As individuals, so many of us are doing our part to reduce our use of plastic.

Individual consumers can bring reusable bags to the store, try to avoid purchasing too much food wrapped in plastic, and find ways to take advantage of refillable or reusable containers in our homes.

But we can't put a stop to the plastic pollution problem on our own. It's time for companies to do their part to reduce the amount of plastic they use, too.

Sysco's shareholders have voted overwhelmingly for the company to reduce its use of plastic.6 And the company already offers some exciting sustainable packaging options.7

A less wasteful future for Sysco is very possible.

We just need the company to commit to reducing its plastic use. Add your name today.

Thank you,

Faye Park
President

1. "Frequently asked questions about recycling plastics," PIRG, August 30, 2023.
2. "The Top 16 Food Distributors in the USA (2024)," Gourmet Pro, June 22, 2024.
3. "Plastic particles in bottled water," National Institutes of Health, January 23, 2024.
4. "Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Foods," U.S. Food & Drug Administration, July 24, 2024.
5. "Here's how microplastics are harming our health," PIRG, August 27, 2024.
6. "Shareholders tell Sysco to reduce plastic packaging," Environment America, November 30, 2022.
7. "Protecting the Earth, Plus Delivering Value," Sysco Foodie, last accessed February 28, 2025.

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