Planting Seeds: Reducing Plastic Waste

JULIE GALLAGHER

PURCHASE, N.Y. — Potato peels, orange peels and corn husks are the latest ingredients PepsiCo is hoping will boost its beverage business.

Next year the company will pilot the world's first PET plastic bottle made entirely from plant-based by-products from its food business. The 100% recyclable bottle will compete with Coca-Cola's two-year-old PlantBottle, made with 30% plant-based materials. PepsiCo says the bottle will look, feel and protect beverages the same way traditional bottles do.

“We essentially figured out a way to use plant-based materials vs. petroleum sources, to create PET,” PepsiCo spokeswoman Jennifer Ryan told SN.

Consumers who seek bottled water for convenience are going to do so no matter the environmental impact, said Mintel consumer market analyst Garima Goel Lal, but now that mainstream brands are getting in on the act, private-label marketers may have to step up their game in order to compete.

“More brands will have to create that image that they're making every effort to reduce plastic waste,” said Goel Lal.

Existing efforts include: