Globally, Danone has announced new commitments and actions to ensure its packaging will become 100% circular. All its packaging is designed to be 100% recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025. The figure at the moment is 86%.
Currently, 14% of its beverage bottles use recycled PET and this figure is set to increase to 50% by 2025. The company has recently released its first 100% recycled PET bottle in Spain and will introduce additional 100% recycled PET bottles, reaching all major water markets by 2021.
In Indonesia, the local unit PT Tirta Investama said it has introduced the first 100% recycled PET bottle with the initial focus on the 1.1L bottle. This recycled PET bottle will start to be made available from December 2018 in Bali focusing on modern retail outlets, hotels, restaurants and cafes. The reason for choosing Bali for the trial is because Bali residents have higher awareness about plastic waste.
At the moment, PT Tirta Investama bottled water products are in glass (220ml), plastic bottles (300ml, 450ml, 600ml, 750ml and 1.5L) and gallon.
In addition to recycled PET, the Aqua brand in Indonesia will be launching a pilot program to develop alternatives to plastic straws.
Danone is moving in the right direction as plastic waste has become a major environmental hazard. As a major plastic user, the move towards recyclability of packaging will help address the issue and propel the company into the forefront as a solution and not the problem.
