Nestlé will nearly quadruple its use of food-grade rPET (recycled PET) in under three years to meet its goals. It says it will do this by expanding its relationship with key supplier Plastrec (Joliette, Canada) and working with other suppliers.
Fernando Mercé, president and CEO, Nestlé Waters North America, said: “We want to take the ‘single’ out of ‘single-use’ bottles. Our bottles were never meant to be thrown in the garbage: we design them to be collected, recycled, and re-purposed.”
“PET plastic is a valuable resource that, if recycled properly, can be used to create new bottles again and again.”
Nestlé Waters North America’s portfolio includes Poland Spring, Nestlé Pure Life, Perrier, and S. Pellegrino.
In February this year Nestle Pure Life debuted a 100% rPET bottle (not including cap and label) in North America, claiming to be the only major nationally distributed bottled water on the market using 100% rPET.
Coca-Cola is targeting 50% rPET by 2030; while Danone is aiming for 25% rPET in its bottles and and 50% rPET for its water brands by 2025 (and 100% for evian).
In Europe the European Federation of Bottled Waters is aiming for 25% rPET by 2025 and PepsiCo is targeting 50% rPET.
Nestle Waters' US packaging is 100% recyclable.