European manufacturers are increasingly committing themselves to becoming more sustainable. In the soft drinks industry, this looks like companies making a switch to 100 per cent recycled bottles. However, in order to do so, Europe might have to drastically increase its production of recycled plastic.
Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I, the company behind soft drinks such as Lucozade and Ribena, has pledged to ensure that all its on-the-go 500ml bottles – excluding the cap and label – are made from 100 per cent recycled plastic by the end of the year. The move includes Lucozade Sport, Lucozade Energy, Orangina and Ribena.
“It’s the result of years of hard work, and whilst reaching this milestone is a cause for celebration, much still needs to be done in terms of recycling infrastructure,” said Liz Nieboer, head of sustainability at Suntory.
Plastic waste and pollution is a pressing global concern. According to a report released in October last year,...