Drinks manufacturer Britvic has announced that three of its major brands are making the switch to 100% recycled plastic (rPET) bottles.
Robinsons, Lipton Ice Tea and drench 500ml bottles will be the first to use recycled plastic from a new rPET manufacturing facility in North Yorkshire – a move that will cut Britvic’s use of virgin plastic by 1,354 tonnes every year.
The new plant, built by Esterform Packaging Limited, is powered by 100% renewable energy and will provide Britvic – who invested £5m into the facility in 2019 – with a secure supply of quality food-grade rPET in the UK.
“We are extremely proud and excited to see the first use of Esterpet in our iconic brands as they make the move to 100% rPET,” said Sarah Webster, Director of Sustainable Business at Britvic.
“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.”
The move marks the latest milestone for Britvic’s Healthier People, Healthier Planet sustainability strategy, which targets a switch to 100% rPET for all British-made bottles by the end of 2022.
The company has also committed to an industry-led, not for profit and GB-wide deposit return scheme to increase recycling levels.
Britvic brands Ballygowan Mineral Water and Fruit Shoot Hydro have already made the switch to 100% rPET bottles, saving 1,900 tonnes of virgin plastic per year.
Image courtesy of Britvic.
