Coca-Cola Enterprises Testing Recycled PET Project in UK

A trial aimed at boosting the use of recycled PET in the packaging industry in the United Kingdom has been introduced. The project, funded by the Waste & Resources Action Programme, brings together Boots and Coca-Cola Enterprises.

The CCE trials involve 500ml diet Coke’ bottles as well as various other products of The Coca-Cola Company.

It is the first time that CCE has tested mechanically recycled plastic in its bottles in Great Britain. CCE is testing different types of recycled PET (including flake and pellet) at 25 per cent inclusion rate and around 1,000 metric tons of recycled PET will be used in total during the trial. All recycled materials have been fully approved by The Coca-Cola Company and are now in production.

 “We are excited about this project and we anticipate that over 150 million 500ml bottles will be manufactured during the course of this trial. Support from WRAP has enabled CCE to evaluate the impact of different combinations of virgin and recycled PET and assess the viability of longer-term usage,” said Martin Rodgers, rPET project manager at CCE.

The products being tested by Boots are also now on sale in stores. The company’s high profile ‘Ingredients’ range is being packaged in bottles with a 30 per cent rPET content, providing the opportunity to research the use of rPET in a non-food sector. 

Capitalizing on Boots’ in house development, manufacturing and product evaluation expertise, the project will asses the viability of using rPET in terms of efficient manufacture, product quality and consumer acceptance.

Steve Owen, Polymers Consultant for Boots, said, “Driving forward the use of recycled plastics in the UK is consistent with our approach to Corporate Social Responsibility. We are very positive about the trial and it could open up opportunities in more toiletry ranges and other packaging sectors in the future.

“We have used this WRAP program to develop consumer awareness of recycling through pack labeling and other initiatives.”