At a weight of just 10.9 grams, the Eco-Fina Bottle is made with 50% less plastic than the half-liter Aquafina [image-nocss] bottles produced in 2002, eliminating an estimated 75 million pounds of plastic annually. In addition to light weighting the half-liter bottle, Aquafina is driving additional environmental benefits by producing the Eco-Fina Bottle right at Aquafina purification centers where filling occurs and by eliminating cardboard base pads from Eco-Fina Bottle 24-packs, which will contribute to saving 20 million pounds of corrugate by 2010.
"The Eco-Fina Bottle represents more than simply innovative packaging design. It showcases our commitment to develop best-in-class products, packages and manufacturing processes while acting responsibly in everything we do," said Rick Gomez, chief marketing officer, hydration brands at Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages. "We're excited to answer the call of our consumers by offering the same great-tasting, pure water in a much lighter and more eco-friendly 100% recyclable bottle."
The new Eco-Fina Bottle features a "rippled web" design that goes beyond aesthetics, ensuring its structural soundness and functionality. New, contemporary shrink wrap packaging graphics, featuring the Eco-Fina Bottle logo, will further enhance the brand's on-shelf presence.
"Consumer research confirms that we achieved our desired objective, which was a 'sustainable design trifecta'--a bottle that looks better, functions better and is better for the environment," said Robert Le Bras-Brown, vice president of packaging innovation and development at PepsiCo. "The new design leverages structural engineering which allows the Eco-Fina Bottle to support 50 times its weight in water while offering consumers a contemporary, attractive package that meets their needs."
PepsiCo continues to explore newer ways to achieve optimal efficiency in the use of natural resources in the development, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of all of its products, it said. The company has committed to considerably lowering its environmental impact by reducing the use of water and energy by 20% and the use of fuel by 25% by 2015. In 2007, the company conserved nearly five billion liters of water across its global operations compared to 2006 through technological improvements in global manufacturing operations and resource conservation programs. Last year, PepsiCo took nearly six million kilograms of packaging per year out of its system globally and reduced greenhouse emissions by 18,000 metric tons annually by introducing a new half-liter bottle for Aquafina flavored waters.
Aquafina is a product of Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages, the refreshment beverage unit of PepsiCo, Inc., in the United States and Canada. In addition to Aquafina and Aquafina FlavorSplash, its U.S. brands include Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, IZZE, SoBe, Mug, Tropicana Twister Soda, Tropicana Juice Drinks, Dole and Ocean Spray single-serve juices. PepsiCo also makes and markets North America 's best-selling ready-to-drink iced teas and coffees, respectively, via joint ventures with Lipton and Starbucks. PepsiCo, Purchase, N.Y., is one of the world's largest food and beverage companies. Its principal businesses include Frito-Lay snacks, Pepsi-Cola beverages, Gatorade sports drinks, Tropicana juices and Quaker foods.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.