Frucor Suntory is marking an important milestone in its 2030 sustainability ambitions with the removal of the colour from its 7Up plastic bottles – saying the move will make it easier for consumers to recognise that it’s recyclable.
This latest development is part of Frucor Suntory’s colour removal program, which began in 2020. “Although coloured plastic bottles are recyclable, replacing them with clear plastic will help improve recyclability,” explains Ben Walkley, head of sustainability at Frucor Suntory.
“Transitioning 7Up into clear recyclable plastic is a big win, but we’re certainly not resting on our laurels. Our research, development and innovation team works alongside Suntory to investigate packaging alternatives and improvements all the time.”
In line with global 7Up branding, 7Up Light changed its name to 7Up Free – to more accurately reflect that it contains no sugar. And in a plan to ensure consumers can quickly and easily identify 7Up as a lemonade beverage, the cap is green, and the new label artwork includes the subtle addition of a lemon and lime wedge.
7Up and 7Up Free in clear plastic is available for purchase from most supermarkets and beverage outlets.
The move is part of Frucor Suntory 2030 ambitions, in which the company wants to achieve five goals – all packaging to be recyclable, zero waste to landfill across all sites, reducing CO2 emissions by 35 per cent, reducing water usage by 20 per cent, and for one of every three drinks it sells to be low or no sugar.
The company says it is committed to leading the shift towards a circular economy. It intends to do this by increasing its use of recycled content, evaluating new materials and sources, minimising the volume and weight of its packaging, and working together with industry and government to improve recycling systems and infrastructure in Australia and New Zealand.
It has already worked with its external partners and internal innovations teams to develop new rPET packaging for its drinks, and all PET containers can already be recycled at kerbside and in public recycling sites across the ANZ.
Frucor Suntory’s cans also now contain 66 per cent of recycled materia,l and more than half of its products are produced in aluminium cans.
