PepsiCo said it has developed a new and lighter environmentally-friendly bottle for its Aquafina bottled water featuring a more contemporary design in its bid to drastically reduce local plastic use.

The global food and beverage leader said the new bottle will help cut annual usage of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin by 2500 metric tons and weight reduction of 10 per cent on 1.5-liter bottles, 20 per cent on 330ml bottles and 30 per cent on 600 ml bottles.

As well, the updated design and weight reduction is easier to crush, thus reducing its impact on local and regional landfills, said the company in a statement.

The launch of the new bottle will be supported with exciting marketing activities which include outdoor and print advertising, exposure to Aquafina's purity guaranteeing 'Hydro7 process' on a popular TV show, and consumer engagement in major malls with an opportunity for them to win a year's supply of Aquafina, it added.
 
Speaking at the launch, Bassam Al-Sadik, the franchise director – Saudi Arabia at PepsiCo, said: "The reduction in plastic use will save an estimated 1,146 tons of plastic for bottles and 107 tons of plastic for caps, annually across Saudi Arabia, resulting in a lighter bottle for a cleaner environment."
 
He pointed out that changing the design would allow PepsiCo to take advantage of the latest technology in new cap and preform options, with the new format opening doors for future lighter weight versions.

Mohammed bin Hamad Al-Jomaih, the assistant GM of Al-Jomaih Bottling Plants said," PepsiCo has a historic and strategic relationship with Al-Jomaih that enables them to constantly ensure the purity and quality of Aquafina in maintaining the brand’s popular appeal."

"To accomplish this, the plant is a highly advanced bottling operation that utilizes the Hydro 7 purification process to ensure that Aquafina is produced according to the highest international standards, therefore guaranteeing its purity," he added.-TradeArabia News Service