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Food and beverage brands are taking steps forward in sustainable retail packaging

Drinks bottler Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) is taking steps towards increasing the use of recycled materials used in their packaging by signing an agreement with Loop Industries to use 100% recycled PET by 2020.

 

Loop, a provider of enhanced recycling technology, will supply 100% recycled and sustainable PET plastic to CCEP. Loop rPET supports Coca-Cola’s global vision to work towards a World Without Waste.

 

Chief Supply Chain Officer at CCEP, Ron Lewis, said, “Like all responsible companies, we need to be selective in choosing our packaging materials so that we continue to eliminate waste and work to reduce the environmental impact.”

 

Growing responsible packaging

 

CCEP isn’t the only company to move towards 100% recycled PET. Many other food and beverage companies have taken it upon themselves to update their packaging to more sustainable materials.

 

Highland Spring recently launched their first, “eco bottle,” made from 100% recycled PET, to the UK market. Additionally, PepsiCo is looking to launch a range of 100% recycled plastic packaging by 2020.

 

Recycled PET packaging even goes as far as egg boxes! Ovotherm, an industrial packager, has developed a new range of environmentally responsible packaging for eggs.

 

Public perception

 

Although recyclable PET has clear environmental and ethical benefits, many consumers aren’t thrilled with the aesthetics of such packaging – particularly on bottles – which often has a cloudier or grey tinge to their appearances.

 

As such, Garçon Wines is launching a pink bottle made from 100% recycled PET – made in the UK – which is fully recyclable itself after use. By colouring the bottle light pink, they are concealing the off-putting grey colouring while also offering an eco-friendly option.

 

These companies are leading the way in consumer packaging, and certainly from 2020, recycled PET plastics will be far more mainstream. By making these sustainable changes the norm, the average consumer will come to expect it, thusly altering public perception and behaviour.

 

 

 

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On average, CCEP bottles contain 25% recycled plastic, aluminium cans contain 42% recycled aluminium, and glass bottles contain 47% recycled glass.
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