PepsiCo Released the Latest Report: 22 Global Markets are Gradually Using 100% RPET Bottles

PepsiCo recently shared its progress towards circular packaging goals in its 2021 Environmental, Social, and Governance Report.

The UK will pilot plastic recycling at the end of the year.

PepsiCo plans to remove fossil fuel plastics from all potato chip bags by 2030, starting with trials in European markets this year. The trials include the use of "renewable plastics" in the packaging of a range of products in France that come from plant-derived by-products, such as used cooking oil or pulp waste. PepsiCo is also planning a pilot for recycling plastic in the UK by the end of 2022.

 100% rPET bottles are gradually introduced in 22 markets around the world. 

By the end of the year, in 10 European markets, Pepsi's bottles will be made of 100% rPET, excluding caps and labels. In 2021 and 2022, PepsiCo launched 100% rPET beverage products in Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, and Argentina. Overall, PepsiCo is gradually converting some of its brands to 100% rPET bottles in 22 markets around the world.

In the US, PepsiCo's high-end bottled water brand LIFEWTR is already sold in 100% rPET bottles, and PepsiCo Zero Sugar products will also be sold in 100% rPET bottles by the end of 2022. The report states that the company plans to convert all Pepsi-branded products in the U.S. to rPET bottles by 2030.

The report said: “While packaging is an important part of our business, making PepsiCo products more convenient, affordable, and easier to distribute, we are also concerned about the impact of packaging waste." Our broad strategy includes reducing the number of plastics, driving recycling and using recycled materials, redesigning our packaging, using new renewable materials, or driving reduced or plastic-free packaging formats.

 Challenges with existing technology and regulatory constraints.

Overall, 87% of Pepsi drinks are packaged in 100% recyclable or renewable plastic in the EU, with the goal of 100% of packaging being recyclable, compostable, biodegradable, or reusable by 2025. Another goal is to reduce the use of virgin plastic from non-renewable sources by 50% by 2030.

"We are exploring renewable, non-fossil fuel-based sources of packaging materials, such as packaging that is safe, efficient, and has a lower carbon footprint than petroleum-based plastic packaging," the PepsiCo report said.

Since 2018, PepsiCo and the PepsiCo Foundation have invested more than $100 million in recycling globally, including the $15 million Closed Loop Partners' Leadership Fund and the $35 million Closed Loop Local Recycling Fund for recycling in the U.S. Communities create small modular recycling systems.

"Achieving these ambitious goals will require investment and innovation," the report said. "We face challenges from existing technological and regulatory constraints, but our commitment to continuing toward these goals is unwavering."