Avery Dennison is working with supply chain organizations such as Viridor and PET UK to help Coca-Cola European Partners reduce waste, costs, and the carbon footprint of Smartwater production in the UK.
“This example shows how we can turn the crisis of resources into a business opportunity through close collaboration across the value chain,” Says Joe Franses, director of corporate responsibility and sustainability at Coca-Cola European Partners.
“Businesses which can be truly innovative with the products and services they provide, optimizing the resources they use and encouraging consumers to do the same, have the potential to transform our economy.”
More than 50 million bottles of Smartwater were produced in 2015.
The PET liners used (carrying the self-adhesive labels before dispensing) generated more than 40 tons of waste in that year, costing around US$10,600 in disposal/handling costs.
Under the new recycling scheme, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) UK shreds and extrudes the waste PET liner and then produces a material suitable for making new items such as PET staple fiber, strapping or thermoformable sheets.
There will also be significant savings in CO2 emissions – around 180-200 tons in 2016.
“Since we launched this initiative with PET UK in 2014, we have signed up many wine, spirits, beer, and beverage brands,” says Xander van der Vlies, sustainability director for Avery Dennison materials group Europe.
“Avery Dennison has set an ambitious sustainability goal for 2025 of eliminating 70% of liner waste from the industry value chain.”
