Fiji Water transitions its two flagship bottles to 100% rPET, invests FJ$5M in energy efficiency
03 Oct 2022 --- Fiji Water has transitioned its 500 mL and 330 mL bottles to 100% recycled PET (rPET) in the US. The move is a step toward reducing plastic waste and replacing almost 65% of FIJI Water’s bottle volume in the US with recycled material. The company says the move is part of its continued commitment to shifting its entire portfolio to rPET by 2025.
“We are using recycled plastic to breathe new life into existing materials while maintaining FIJI Water’s same taste, look and quality,” says Clarence Chia, senior vice president of marketing, FIJI Water.
“We will continue to set ambitious targets to drive innovation and transformation in our approach and commitment to sustainability and look forward to building on this momentum.”
The switch to rPET also reduces CO2 emissions, with some studies showing that rPET can result in up to a 79% reduction in carbon emissions when compared to new material, notes the company.
In addition to introducing 100% rPET bottles, FIJI Water has invested FJ$5 million (approximately US$2.5 million) on energy efficiency initiatives on the Fijian islands – the source of FIJI Water – which includes the use of microturbine energy generation and adopting a low-sulfur fuel standard for all shipping, which decreases sulfur oxide emissions.
Fiji Water is involved in environmental and social sustainability campaigns in Fiji.“It’s not just water”
The new rPET bottles are being advertised in FIJI Water’s updated “It’s Not Just Water” TV, digital and social media campaign.
Locally in Fiji, the Fiji Water Foundation focuses on sustainability and the preservation of the islands, along with supporting and improving the lives of native Fijians through initiatives that include providing access to clean water, health care services, and grants for local schools and organizations.
Since 2007, the Fiji Water Foundation has provided funding to large-scale reforestation and conservation efforts to preserve and protect the Sovi Basin, Fiji’s most important forest ecosystem and the most significant remaining lowland rainforest, in partnership with Conservation International.
Fiji Water is a division of The Wonderful Company, which, together with owners Stewart and Lynda Resnick, has invested more than US$1.3 billion in environmental sustainability initiatives to help fight climate change.
This billion-dollar commitment includes a US$750 million gift to Caltech to support the school’s environmental sustainability research. A portion of the research will focus on decomposable plastics, along with tackling issues of water, energy, food, and waste in a world confronting rapid climate change.
rPET problems
Fiji Water’s switch to rPET comes as industry is faced with skyrocketing recycled material costs. In Europe, UNESDA Soft Drinks association recently appealed to the EU for priority access to rPET after saying the material is becoming “as expensive as white truffles and gold.”
Looming legislative targets set by the European Commission, requiring packagers to include at least 50% recycled material in plastic products by 2025, mean companies are rushing to reformulate their bottles. Other major businesses are also eager to reach these targets ahead of time for public relations purposes.
This has caused a demand far higher than supply, and costs are surging beyond the affordable level for many bottle producers.
Edited by Louis Gore-Langton
