The bottled water brands say they want to see a future where all packaging is made entirely from recycled or renewable materials (or both); are designed to be fully reusable or recyclable; and all packaging is recovered or recycled.
Action required​ In the UK, around 72% of soft drinks are packaged in plastic.
Plastic bottles are frequently chosen by soft drinks brands, thanks to its lightweight properties and subsequent carbon savings in transport, and due to its effectiveness in preventing breakages and food waste.
And yet one of the very qualities that makes plastic so attractive as a beverage packaging material – its durability – also means it does not break down if it ends up as litter in the environment.
With the UN declaring a ‘plastics crisis’, there is more public and political awareness and concern surrounding plastic waste than ever before.
“The bottled water and soft drinks value chain does not yet have all the answers, but through collaborative action, needs to invest in finding them.
The capabilities of existing technologies should not limit ambition.” ​ Research and development will play a role in this transformation, and so investment is needed in this sector, it says.
​ “Some of the aspirations in the vision may challenge existing business and delivery models.
It also recognises that while government and business are already starting to address the issue, there is still a need to set ambitious goals to push the sector and create a transformational shift to eliminate plastic packaging waste.”​ The full report can be found here.​​ How we get there: a plan to eliminate plastic packaging waste from UK bottled water and soft drinks value chain Vision: An efficient and circular resource management system​ 2025 goals: ​ Recycling collection rate of bottled water and soft drinks packaging to increase at least 90% Incentivised minimum requirement of at least 70% recycled content for plastic bottled water and soft drinks packaging Consistent nationwide recycling collection system enabled by increased and improved infrastructure Vision: Find the best packaging format​ 2025 goals:​ All bottled water and soft drink packaging made from 100% recyclable or reusable material resulting in non-recyclable and hard-to-recycle plastics being phased out All bottled water and soft drinks packaging made from feedstock that consists of at least 70% recycled material, to achieve incentivised minimum Industry standard for optimal zero plastic waste, identify low-impact bottled water and soft drinks packaging Vision: Shift in consumer behaviour and societal norms​ 2025 goals:​ Clear, consistent labelling systems for consumers New programme of evidence-based behaviour change campaigns Vision: Explore alternative delivery models​ 2025 goals:​ Explore refillable packaging and reduce the follow of packaging material to consumers Source: University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL).
Towards sustainable packaging: A plan to eliminate plastic packaging waste from UK bottled water and soft drinks.​ Cambridge, UK: the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership.