Yesterday resource® Natural Spring Water announced the debut of a remodeled bottle made entirely of recycled plastic (rPET). Part of the Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) portfolio of bottled waters, the resource brand reflects Nestle’s exploration of environmentally sound packaging options across its family of beverages.
The remodeled bottle, available in 700ml and 1L sizes, is sourced and bottled in the US. It is produced with 100 percent rPET, excluding the cap and label. resource says it hopes the new bottle will focus attention on the uses of rPET and encourage bottle-to-bottle recycling among consumers.
"At resource, we believe that using recycled PET can help increase recycling rates by focusing attention on the value of recycling," said Debora Fillis Ryba, senior manager of sustainability at Nestlé Waters North America. "Nestlé Waters has a strong history of sustainable innovation and product stewardship advocacy, and the 100 percent rPET bottle aims to continue that legacy by increasing awareness of closed-loop recycling."
Experts in the rPET industry are applauding the company’s effort.
“Currently under one-third of PET materials in the U.S. are recycled and brands such as resource, with their commitment to 100 percent rPET packaging, represent a pivotal shift in the industry to improve recycling standards among corporations and consumers,” said Leon Farahnik, founder and CEO of CarbonLITE Industries LLC, one of the largest producers of food-grade, post-consumer rPET. “Bottle-to-bottle recycling is one of the most effective ways to reduce landfill waste, reduce the carbon footprint, conserve natural resources and control the environmental impact of sourcing and creating new packaging.”
The recycled bottle from resource continues Nestlé’s busy year of sustainability commitments. In February, Nestlé USAannounced plans to remove all artificial flavors and colors from its chocolate candy by the end of 2015. In March, the company became the first major U.S. candy manufacturer to produce its entire Easter chocolate collection from certified cocoa. And in April, Nestlé USA announced that 23 of its 32 US factories have achieved zero waste to landfill.