PepsiCo Beverages Canada introduces soft drink bottle made from 100% recycled PET plastic

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — PepsiCo Beverages Canada has introduced the 7UP EcoGreen bottle, Canada's — and North America's — first soft drink bottle made from 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, plastic, the company reported Wednesday.

By introducing the 7UP EcoGreen bottle in Canada, PepsiCo Beverages Canada will reduce the amount of virgin plastic used by approximately 6 million lbs. over the course of one year, the company reported. Studies published by the Association for Post-Consumer Plastic Recyclers in 2010 estimated this reduced use of virgin plastic will lead to a reduction of more than 30% in greenhouse gas emissions and more than 55% in energy use, based on current 7UP production levels.

"After three years of research and development, we have cracked the code to commercially develop a soft drink bottle made from 100% recycled PET plastic, and Canada has proudly led the way," said Richard Glover, president of PepsiCo Beverages Canada. "Consumers want products and packaging that reflects their desire to protect the environment, and PepsiCo is committed to delivering on that with this kind of world-class innovation."

The 7UP EcoGreen bottle will be available across all 7UP and Diet 7UP package sizes beginning in early August, and will look and feel like any other PET plastic soft drink bottle. Although there will be an incremental cost to produce the 7UP EcoGreen bottle, PepsiCo Beverages Canada said it plans to price 7UP beverages on par with other soft drink brands.

The bottle will be produced in multiple PepsiCo manufacturing facilities across Canada. The company invested $1 million in production enhancements in its facilities, including resin handling systems and inspection systems.

PepsiCo Beverages Canada's long-term plan is to increase the use of bottles made from 100% recycled plastic.