With news on: Defra defends OEP powers; Reconomy enters international market; Bacardi to switch to biodegradable’ bottle; and, Britvic to use 100% rPET bottles
Defra defends OEP powers
Defra has reiterated that “numerous safeguards” will be in place to protect the independence of the Office for Environmental Protection (OEP), after concerns by an environmental body that the government was trying to “undermine” it.
Greener UK, which represents 13 UK environmental charities , says an amendment tabled by recycling minister Rebecca Pow to give Defra the ability to “advise” the OEP, is a “clear and simple weakening of environmental protection”.
Defra hit back at claims that the OEP is being ‘undermined’
In response, Defra released a statement on 29 October, stating that while the secretary of state can give guidance to the OEP on its enforcement policy, this guidance must be published and laid before parliament.
“Furthermore, the OEP does not have to act strictly in accordance with the guidance where it has clear reasons not to do so,” the Defra statement said.
It added: “This strong and independent body is a key part of the government’s vision to lead the world in protecting our environment and building back greener from the COVID pandemic”.
Reconomy enters international market
Reconomy has acquired the Noventiz Group of Companies- which specialise in packaging compliance in Germany – for an undisclosed fee, marking its “first step into the international market”.
Reconomy has made its first step into the international market with the move
Based in Cologne and founded in 2007, Noventiz provides packaging compliance services for commercial customers in Germany.
Reconomy says the deal marks an important milestone in its strategic plan, as the first overseas acquisition made by the group.
The company says it also further expands its “successful compliance division, spearheaded by Valpak in the UK”.
Commenting on the deal, Reconomy’s chief executive, Paul Cox, said: “The purchase of Noventiz is the start of an exciting new chapter for Reconomy as we establish ourselves in the European and International marketplace.”
Bacardi to switch to biodegradable’ packaging
Spirits company Bacardi has announced plans to switch to a “100% biodegradable” bottle made from a biopolymer derived from the oils of plant seeds by 2023.
Bacardi says the bottle will degrade in two years and be on the shelves by 2023
The Bermuda-based company says the bottle will replace the 80 million plastic bottles – representing 3,000 tons of plastic – it currently produces across its brand portfolio every year.
Bacardi rum will be the first spirit to appear in the new bottle, before the plant-based material is rolled out to replace single-use plastic across the company’s 200 brands and labels including Bombay Sapphire gin, Grey Goose vodka and Martini vermouth, amongst others.
Ned Duggan, senior vice president of Bacardi rum, said: “We’re excited to be pioneering this new biopolymer technology for the benefit of all Bacardi brands and the entire spirits industry.”
Britvic to use 100% rPET bottles
Soft drinks company Britvic has announced plans for all of its UK plastic bottles to be made from 100% recycled plastic (rPET) by the end of 2022.
Britvic produces and sells PepsiCo brands such as Pepsi, 7UP and Lipton Ice Tea in Great Britain and Ireland
This will cover the entire UK portfolio of Britvic-owned and PepsiCo brands. Britvic produces and sells PepsiCo brands such as Pepsi, 7UP and Lipton Ice Tea in Great Britain and Ireland.
In November 2019 Britvic announced it had entered into a ‘long-term’ agreement with plastics company Esterform Packaging Limited for the supply of rPET.
Under the terms of the agreement, Esterform became Britvic’s preferred supplier of rPET in Great Britain and Ireland.
Britvic has provided a £5 million investment support package for the construction of rPET manufacturing facilities at the packaging supplier’s site in Sherburn, North Yorkshire.
Paul Graham, managing director of Britvic GB, said: “This is a significant moment for Britvic and our partnership with PepsiCo, demonstrating our commitment to protecting the planet for us and future generations.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Packaging
