Technological watch
Fiji Water commits to 100% recycled PET water bottles by 2025; unveils new packaging
Water bottles made from PET continue to be the most recyclable products on the planet, and demand for recycled PET (rPET) continues to rise. One of the largest bottled water producers, Fiji Water (Los Angeles) announced a “multifaceted initiative to transform its use of plastic while promoting a circular economy.”
Fiji Water is developing an “aggressive timetable” to make all of its plastic bottles from 100% rPET by 2025, with 20% rPET in bottles next year.
“The transition to 100% rPET is the cornerstone of our comprehensive approach to sustainability,” said Elizabeth Stephenson, president of Fiji Water. “Environmental sustainability and the preservation of nature is critical to our well-being on this planet. As one of the world’s leading source waters, we believe the best things come from nature, and are dedicated to taking steps to ensure that we are participating in the circular economy, encouraging recycling and reuse.”
Fiji Water will further reach its sustainability goals through new packaging innovations and plastic reduction that advance the independent brand beyond pledges made by the largest global beverage companies.
As an alternative to single-use bottles, Fiji Water will introduce a new 2.5-gallon packaging option for the refrigerator or counter and a 5-gallon option designed to fit in a standard hot- and cold-water dispenser. Both will utilize up to 76% less plastic—in the case of the 5-gallon container, an estimated equivalent of 38 fewer 500-mL bottles. Previous innovations have already removed a significant amount of the plastic in bottles since 2008. Ongoing improvements in current bottles and packaging will be implemented with the specific aim to further reduce the amount of plastic used across the entire line.
Working in partnership with Conservation International, Fiji Water has conserved more than 40,000 acres in one of Fiji’s largest remaining unprotected indigenous rain forests, the Sovi Basin, preventing future logging and degradation of the area. It also partnered with local community members to plant 325,000 new trees across 2,800 acres and is working with the Fijian government on efforts to develop recycling initiatives across the archipelago.
Further, the company supports recycling programs and container deposit laws around the world and is a key partner in the largest recycling program in Fiji. Overall, Fiji Water said it has invested more than $25 million FJD (approximately US$12 billion) in social and environmental philanthropy in the island nation.
Fiji Water is developing an “aggressive timetable” to make all of its plastic bottles from 100% rPET by 2025, with 20% rPET in bottles next year.
“The transition to 100% rPET is the cornerstone of our comprehensive approach to sustainability,” said Elizabeth Stephenson, president of Fiji Water. “Environmental sustainability and the preservation of nature is critical to our well-being on this planet. As one of the world’s leading source waters, we believe the best things come from nature, and are dedicated to taking steps to ensure that we are participating in the circular economy, encouraging recycling and reuse.”
Fiji Water will further reach its sustainability goals through new packaging innovations and plastic reduction that advance the independent brand beyond pledges made by the largest global beverage companies.
As an alternative to single-use bottles, Fiji Water will introduce a new 2.5-gallon packaging option for the refrigerator or counter and a 5-gallon option designed to fit in a standard hot- and cold-water dispenser. Both will utilize up to 76% less plastic—in the case of the 5-gallon container, an estimated equivalent of 38 fewer 500-mL bottles. Previous innovations have already removed a significant amount of the plastic in bottles since 2008. Ongoing improvements in current bottles and packaging will be implemented with the specific aim to further reduce the amount of plastic used across the entire line.
Working in partnership with Conservation International, Fiji Water has conserved more than 40,000 acres in one of Fiji’s largest remaining unprotected indigenous rain forests, the Sovi Basin, preventing future logging and degradation of the area. It also partnered with local community members to plant 325,000 new trees across 2,800 acres and is working with the Fijian government on efforts to develop recycling initiatives across the archipelago.
Further, the company supports recycling programs and container deposit laws around the world and is a key partner in the largest recycling program in Fiji. Overall, Fiji Water said it has invested more than $25 million FJD (approximately US$12 billion) in social and environmental philanthropy in the island nation.
This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme
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