Biffa has partnered with Suntory Beverage and Food GB and Ireland (SBF GB&I) to help the consumer goods company increase the recyclability of its Ribena bottles.
The labelling of the 500ml ready-to-drink Ribena will be changed from a full printed sleeve to one that covers less than 40% of the bottle. This, Biffa says, will leave the rPET plastic exposed, allowing sorting devices at recycling plants to detect it better.
The labelling of the 500ml ready-to-drink Ribena will be changed from a full printed sleeve to one that covers less than 40% of the bottle
While the Ribena bottles are already made from 100% recycled PET, a spokesperson for Biffa told letsrecycle.com the waste management company had advised SBF GB&I on how to redesign the label to make them more recyclable.
Chris Hanlon, commercial manager for Biffa Polymers, said: “Congratulations to SBF GB&I on making these important changes to its Ribena drinks bottle. By removing the coloured label, the bottles are much easier to process and recycle back into plastic bottles which can then be reused.
“Designing packaging to be recyclable from the outset is the best way to ensure a more sustainable approach to plastics and it’s good to see a leading business such as SBF GB&I instilling confidence in consumers in this way.”
The Biffa spokesperson told letsrecycle.com the redesigned bottles are to be rolled out from January 2021.
Full circularity
Having joined the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme in September (see letsrecycle.com story), Biffa says it now wants to “apply its experience and expertise” in recycling and waste management to advise other OPRL members on the development of sustainable packaging.
“We’re working to make Ribena more sustainable from bush to bottle”
Carol Robert, chief operating officer at SBF GB&I, said: “Making sure that our bottles can be easily recycled and turned back into bottles is an important part of our journey towards full circularity and net zero emissions.
“Simplifying the packaging of our drinks to help consumers to recycle is just one of our many investments in making our soft drinks more sustainable.
“From climate-change resilient blackcurrants to promoting biodiversity on our farms, we’re working to make Ribena more sustainable from bush to bottle.”
Waste management
The redesigned Ribena bottle has been welcomed by some within the waste management sector. Dr Simon Ellin, CEO of the Recycling Association, said: “We have been highly critical of manufacturers who have not taken responsibility for the full life cycle and recyclability of their products.
Rebecca Pow is recycling minister
“Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I have been proactive in this space and have developed a fantastic new bottle for their Ribena brand.”
And, environment minister Rebecca Pow said: “I am very pleased to see SBF GB&I taking this important step to ensure that all their Ribena bottles are fully recyclable and made from 100% recycled plastic.
“It is this kind of innovation that we want to see to create a more circular economy for our waste and resources, with more materials being recycled and reused and less being consigned to landfill or incineration.”
Seaham
Biffa opened a £27.5m recycling plant in Seaham, County Durham, for PET plastics in January (see letsrecycle.com story).
While it is currently capable of processing the equivalent of 1.3bn plastic bottles each year, Biffa says it expects to quadruple the plant’s recycling capacity by 2030.
Moves such as the redesign of the Ribena bottle will help make plants like the one at Seaham more efficient, Biffa hopes.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Packaging
