News briefs: Green packaging initiatives

Palm Fibre Pepsi reduces plastic in 500ml non-carbonated beverage bottle, Earthcycle expands its fresh produce compostable packaging line and the Reusable Pallet & Container Coalition changes its name to Reusable Packaging Association.Pepsi reduces plastic in 500ml non-carbonated beverage bottle Pepsi has announced that it has reduced the plastic used for a 500ml non-carbonated beverage bottle by 20 per cent, which, the company says "will eliminate approximately 20 million pounds of waste from the environment". There will also be a 10 per cent reduction in the label size and a 5 per cent reduction in the shrink wrap film used to wrap the multi-packs, Pepsi said. Robert Lewis, VP of Worldwide Beverage Packaging and Equipment Development, PepsiCo, said that the challenge had been to develop a lighter bottle that would provide the same shelf life, withstand the manufacturing and distribution process, and yet remain aesthetic. The new lightweight bottles will be used for Lipton Iced Tea, Tropicana juice drinks, Aquafina FlavorSplash and Aquafina Alive; will be available in 12-packs and 24-packs; and will be on retailers' shelves from this month. Reflecting the sentiments of many food and drink companies today Lewis said: "We're constantly striving to make our packaging an even smaller part of the waste stream." Earthcycle expands green packaging line Earthcycle unveiled four new fresh packaging designs at the United Fresh Produce Show in Las Vegas this week. The different sized and shaped trays and containers were developed in response to feedback from customers who said they wanted to pack a wider range of fresh products in Earthcycle's compostable packaging. The company said that each pack had been designed to package a wide range of produce, for instance apples, strawberries, aubergines, courgettes and tomatoes. An oblong soft cornered tray was ideal for a stoplight pepper pack, said Earthcycle. One of the trays can also be used for bakery and confectionery products. The company also said the packaging affords useful transport, stacking and display options. Earthcycle makes packaging from palm fibre, which, according to the company, composts in less than 90 days. Earthcycle's sources in West Malaysia have been certified as sustainable by SGS Qualipalm, an auditor for the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO).  This provides a guarantee that they have not replaced any primary forest or converted any environmentally sensitive areas  for the purpose of palm oil production. The company's packaging also includes foodservice trays for sandwiches or burgers, trays for fresh meat and poultry and pots for herbs and seedlings are also being developed. RPCC becomes RPA The Reusable Pallet & Container Coalition (RPCC) has announced that from now on it will be known as the Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) "reflective of the organisation's focus on promoting reusable packaging as the preferred solution for moving, storing and handling product throughout the entire supply chain" in all industries, said the RPA in a statement. "We will also continue to drive positive change and provide strong leadership in the growing reusable packaging industry", the Association added. The RPA said that it is committed to educating the marketplace on the environmental, economic and social value that reusable packaging affords. It will advance the adoption of reusable packaging by demonstrating supply chain efficiencies, environmental benefits, ergonomic improvements, and cost advantages to end users.