PepsiCo makes packaging changes for drinks brands
PepsiCo brands, Lifewtr, bubly and Aquafina are getting eco-friendly packaging makeovers as the company looks to reduce the amount of virgin plastic it uses.
Lifewtr will be packaged in 100% rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate), and Bubly sparking water will no longer be packaged in plastic.
The company’s Aquafina water brand will offer aluminum can packaging in US food service outlets, while the brand tests the move in retail.
The changes, which all go into effect next year, are expected to eliminate more than 8,000 metric tons of virgin plastic and approximately 11,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
The steps reinforce and advance PepsiCo’s goals to by 2025 make 100% of its packaging recyclable, compostable, or biodegradable and to use 25% recycled plastic content in all its plastic packaging.
“Tackling plastic waste is one of my top priorities and I take this challenge personally,” said PepsiCo chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta. “As one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies, we recognise the significant role PepsiCo can play in helping to change the way society makes, uses, and disposes of plastics. We are doing our part to address the issue head on by reducing, recycling and reinventing our packaging to make it more sustainable, and we won’t stop until we live in a world where plastics are renewed and reused.”
Naked Juice – premium fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies – has been working since 2009 to ensure its bottles are made of 100% rPET and can be turned into bottles again and again. By making its bottles with rPET, the brand also uses about 25% less energy than if it used virgin plastic.
“We are really excited to evolve our packaging across PepsiCo’s water portfolio to make a positive impact,” said Stacy Taffet, vice president water portfolio for PepsiCo. “We created Lifewtr to be an inspirational and purpose-driven brand, and we’re expanding that vision by using recycled packaging to deliver our premium water. At the same time, Bubly, our sparkling water brand that is full of flavour and personality, has already shaken up the sparkling water category and will continue to do so with this bold move.”
