PepsiCo Canada releases 100 percent recycled PET plastic bottle

PepsiCo Beverages Canada has announced the introduction of the 7UP EcoGreen™ bottle; Canada’s – and North America’s – first soft drink bottle made from 100 percent recycled PET plastic.

The company has identified a way to couple existing technology with the best sources of recycled PET plastic and best-in-class processing techniques to produce a 100 percent recycled PET, food-grade bottle that meets all regulatory requirements. Creating a bottle made from 100 percent recycled plastic for soft drinks is more challenging than creating a bottle for non-carbonated beverages because of the stress on materials from carbonation pressure.

By introducing the 7UP EcoGreen bottle in Canada, PepsiCo Beverages Canada will reduce the amount of virgin plastic used by approximately six million pounds over the course of one year. Studies published by the Association for Post-Consumer Plastic Recyclers in 2010, estimate this reduced use of virgin plastic will lead to a reduction of more than 30 percent in greenhouse gas emissions and more than 55 percent in energy use, based on current 7UP production levels.

“After 3 years of research and development, we have cracked the code to commercially develop a soft drink bottle made from 100 percent recycled PET plastic,” said Richard Glover, president of PepsiCo Beverages Canada. “Consumers want products and packaging that reflects their desire to protect the environment, and PepsiCo is committed to delivering on that.”

The 7UP EcoGreen bottle was made available across all 7UP and Diet 7UP package sizes beginning in early August, and looks and feels like any other PET plastic soft drink bottle – consumers will not detect a difference in the packaging or taste of the soft drink.

The bottle will be produced in multiple PepsiCo manufacturing facilities across Canada. The company has invested $1 million in production enhancements in its facilities, including resin handling systems and inspection systems. Although there will be an incremental cost to produce the 7UP EcoGreen bottle, PepsiCo Beverages Canada plans to price 7UP beverages on par with other soft drink brands.

PepsiCo Beverages Canada’s long-term plan is to increase the use of bottles made from 100 percent recycled plastic. Currently, PepsiCo leads the industry by incorporating an average of 10 percent recycled PET in its primary soft drink bottles in Canada and the United States.