This summer, Robinsons, Lipton Ice Tea and Drench 500ml bottles are moving to 100% recycled plastic (rPET). This means Britvic will save 1,354 tonnes of virgin plastic every year. The on-the-go bottles are the first to use recycled plastic from a new rPET manufacturing facility in North Yorkshire, which was supported by a £5m investment from Britvic in 2019. The factory is powered by 100% renewable energy and provides Britvic with a secure supply of quality food grade rPET in the UK.
This move marks the latest milestone in Britvic’s Healthier People, Healthier Planet sustainability strategy and brings Britvic closer to its goal of moving all GB-made bottles to 100% rPET by the end of 2022.
Sarah Webster, director of sustainable business at Britvic, said: “It’s a fantastic example of the progress made in the facility with Britvic’s investment support and the first in a series of changes using Esterpet packaging as we continue our journey to fulfil our rPET commitment.”
Supporting the development of rPET in the UK is crucial for Britvic as sourcing packaging material locally rather than abroad will significantly reduce its direct carbon emissions output. Britvic’s focus on sustainable packaging is reinforced by its commitment to an industry-led, not for profit and GB-wide Deposit Return Scheme to increase recycling levels.
Since 2018, Britvic has invested in the UK recycling infrastructure through its commitment to only purchase domestic Packaging Recovery Notes from UK recyclers. This means Britvic is invested solely in the UK’s recycling industry and not in exporting waste.
In addition to the latest announcement, the firm has already saved 1,900 tonnes by switching Ballygowan Mineral Water and Fruit Shoot Hydro to rPET bottles.
No comments yet