Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Is Intensifying Efforts To Rejuvenate Plastic Bottles

Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam has implemented numerous initiatives and projects aimed at creating community impacts through product packaging transformation and plastic waste reduction.

With the vision "Developing for a Better Tomorrow," Suntory PepsiCo, one of Vietnam's leading beverage companies, is keenly aware of its role and impact in product packaging transformation and reducing plastic waste.

In reality, according to statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, only 27% of approximately 1.8 billion tons of plastic waste generated annually in Vietnam is recycled or utilized, meaning millions of plastic bottles remain untreated, causing severe environmental pollution.

Vietnam ranks among the top 20 countries worldwide in terms of plastic waste, exceeding the global average. Untreated plastic bottles pose serious health risks to humans and future generations, whether on city streets, in landfills causing flooding, or floating in the ocean, potentially harming marine life.

To address these issues, in recent years, Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam has launched multiple initiatives and projects to promote plastic bottle rejuvenation.

In 2022, the company introduced the Aquafina bottle, the lightest pure water bottle in the global Suntory & PepsiCo system at just 11 grams. Additionally, the TEA+ Oolong Tea bottle utilizes the lightest Hot Fill method within the Suntory & PepsiCo system at 15 grams. Beyond reducing plastic use, the company has increased the use of recycled plastic in packaging, such as the Pepsi 330ml bottle made from 100% rPET (recycled plastic) in the Vietnamese market.

Environmentally-friendly packaging made from recycled plastic retains the convenience and distinctive flavors of PepsiCo products while meeting standards set by the Vietnam Ministry of Health, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and global food safety and sensory standards set by PepsiCo.

Moreover, the company has implemented collection and recycling programs for used plastic bottles. Suntory PepsiCo launched the first "Aquafina Recycling Station" in Vietnam in June 2022. After 6 months of operation and with 30 stations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by 2023, Suntory PepsiCo had collected and recycled over 5 tons of plastic equivalent.

Suntory PepsiCo's efforts have yielded positive results not only for the company but also for the environment, promoting green lifestyles among Vietnamese, especially the youth. According to business statistics, from 2022 to August 2023, Suntory PepsiCo reduced 6,770 tons of virgin plastic, equivalent to a reduction of 27,000 tons of CO2 emissions into the environment.

Mr. Jahanzeb Khan, General Director of Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam, affirmed that the company closely monitors the environmental impact of packaging throughout the product lifecycle. Specifically, from design processes and packaging materials to transportation and recycling post-consumption, aiming to contribute to a circular economy.