The company is partnering with Los Angeles-based CarbonLITE Industries, which produces food-grade, post-consumer recycled PET, to provide the rPET material.
Sets a benchmark for others in the industry
Jane Lazgin, director, corporate communications, Nestlé Waters North America, told BeverageDaily, the initiative will reduce carbon emissions and set a benchmark for other manufacturers in the industry.
It will also support California’s first-in-the-nation recycling rates.
“California by far leads the nation in recycling, and this will create more demand for recycled plastic. It tells consumers to always recycle that plastic bottle, and it can be used over and over again,” said Lazgin.
“Thanks to the country’s strong commitment to recycling, there is high quality rPET available enabling us to increase our use of recycled material.
Converted back into new bottles
“Using recycled content, plastic products and other materials are converted back into new bottles. In this ‘closed loop’ model, recycled packaging can be reused indefinitely and can help foster a circular economy that prioritizes sustainability.”
Arrowhead’s commitment to 50% recycled content is projected to use 18 million pounds of recycled plastic annually.
The project is specific to the bottles produced at Arrowhead’s Ontario, Cabazon, and Sacramento facilities. Its most popular sizes are l8oz., half-liter, one-liter, 1.5 liter, and 3 liter.
This isn’t the first time Nestlé Waters has worked with CarbonLITE Industries. It isan extension of its previous work with the company where it introduced 50% rPET in Arrowhead ½ liter bottle in 2012.