INDIA – The food and beverage company Pepsico has announced it will be launching 100% compostable, plant-based packaging for its Lay’s and Kurkure snacks products in the fourth quarter this year to address rising concerns around plastic pollution.
The launch will enable PepsiCo India achieve 100% recovery and recycling of its plastic waste within a few years, reported ET Retail.
This is in line with the government of India’s ‘Beating Plastic Pollution’ initiative that focuses on sustainable production.
PepsiCo has been exploring ways in commitment to environmental protection through collaboration with the government to enhance plastic waste management and increase recycling in India.
“As a responsible leader in the food and beverage industry, our Performance with Purpose 2025 goal is to design all packaging to be recoverable or recyclable, and support increased recycling of plastic waste.
In line with reducing the impact of our packaging on the environment, we are committed to working with partners to leverage new technologies and developing sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging solutions,” said Ahmed ElSheikh, President & CEO, PepsiCo India.
India will be among the first countries to pilot the new, sustainable packaging solution developed by PepsiCo.
PepsiCo is following the steps already taken by other international conglomerates including its rival Coca-Cola who launched plant-based, recyclable bottles in some of its markets.
Nestle on the other hand, aims at 100% reusable and recyclable packaging by 2025.
As part of its sustainability strategy, PepsiCo launched the PlantBottle, a fully recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle made partially from plants in North America but its debut into other countries like India is limited by its high manufacturing costs.
According to ET Retail, the PlantBottle account for 30% of the company’s packaging volume in North America and 7% globally.
Through a pilot in Gujarat with Nepra, PepsiCo recovered and recycled plastic waste equivalent to 100% of the multi-layered packaging waste generated by our snacks products in the state.
The company also said it has successfully piloted a ‘Film to Fuel’ project at the Pune plant to convert all the packaging film waste from the plant, into fuel, ensuring 100% recycling of packaging waste at the plant.
