When PET bottles are recycled, the plastic is recycled for food-grade recycled material and reformed into new bottles, reducing the need for virgin plastic for bottles production
In today’s global marketplace, concerns about environmental sustainability have catapulted to the forefront of the business arena. More than ever, companies are seeking ways to integrate resource efficiency, circularity, and waste reduction into their operations.
India, with its booming consumer market, rich entrepreneurial spirit, and rapid economic growth, has recognised the need to shift from the traditional ‘take-make-dispose’ approach to the progressive'reduce-reuse-recycle' model. This robust commitment is not merely an aspiration but a resolve that will help foster partnerships, promote technological synergies, and disseminate valuable insights, seeking ways to integrate eco-friendly practises in daily consumer offerings.
This is where the transformation in the packaging industry leads the charge by reflecting the shifting and more environmentally conscious consumer appeal into sustainable packaging. In India, businesses are re-imagining packaging solutions that seamlessly combine functionality, aesthetics, and environmental stewardship. And the beverage industry is at the forefront, leading a transformational shift with the adoption of recyclable Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles.
Recycling PET reduces the amount of waste that is sent to landfills, decreases pollution from the production of new plastic, and conserves resources, including fossil fuels and energy. It also contributes to the circular economy by keeping materials in use for as long as possible.
Investing in PET helps businesses stay relevant in a rapidly evolving market where consumers and regulations are increasingly leaning towards sustainable practises.
When PET bottles are recycled, the plastic is recycled as per technologies that are approved by US FDA and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for food-grade recycled material and reformed into new PET bottles, reducing the need for virgin plastic for PET bottle production.
This shift towards recycled PET use in packaging aligns with the Government of India’s vision of sustainable plastic use, and the Coca-Cola System in India is the first mover in this initiative. The future of sustainable packaging is bright, and it requires a collective endeavour on a global scale. It is our shared responsibility to spearhead this transformative journey towards a greener, more sustainable world.
The company offers Coca-Cola and Kinley in PET packaging, which features a unique label displaying, ‘100 percent made from recycled food grade plastic’, which has been approved for use in food packaging by the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), subject to adherence to their guidelines after a thorough review of food safety.
(Enrique Ackermann is Vice President, Technical Innovation & Supply Chain at Coca-Cola India & SouthWest Asia.)