(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula
Aquafina has launched 100% recycled plastic bottles, as part of its efforts to champion sustainability in the country, amid rising consumer consciousness and pivotal government initiatives. The bottles are made from plastic that has been recycled, reprocessed, and repurposed, making them more environmentally friendly, as they have over 30% less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as compared to virgin fossil-fuel based PET.
The new 100% recycled bottles were revealed in an exclusive event at Ali Bin Ali Beverages production plant in Doha, Qatar, and was graced by the attendance of Eng. Youssef Al Emadi representing the Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Eng. Hussain Saad Alkubaisi representing the Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Nonetheless, a special attendance was made by CEO Africa, Middle East and South Asia at PepsiCo, Mr. Eugene Willemsen; PepsiCo CEO for the Middle East, Mr. Aamer Sheikh; Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President of Ali Bin Ali Holding, Mr. Nabeel Ali Bin Ali; and General Manager of Ali Bin Ali Beverages, Mr. Marc Karam. In addition, other key personnel from PepsiCo and Ali Bin Ali Beverages, as well as other stakeholders from across the region including the media, attended the event.
Aamer Sheikh, PepsiCo Middle East CEO, expressed during an interview with The Peninsula, that the decision to unveil these new Aquafina bottles comes in line with the company's concrete values that support and ensure the transition to a circular economy.“To drive a circular economy, we not only need to offer products in more sustainable packaging, but we also need to encourage people to recycle plastic bottles after a drink is consumed. We are taking action to reduce the amount of packaging we use, ensure more is recycled and we are exploring how to reinvent our packaging with new solutions which minimize the use of one-way plastics.” stated Sheikh.
Mr. Nabeel Ali Bin Ali, Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President, Ali Bin Ali Holding, stressed that“the launch of the 100% recycled plastic bottle is a testament to the team's hard work and vision that has recognized the State of Qatar to be the first market in the GCC to rollout the new and more sustainable packaging. At Ali Bin Ali Holding, we are committed to contributing to sustainable development and achieving Vision 2030 of Qatar.”
A statement that was echoed by Marc Karam, General Manager at Ali Bin Ali Beverages, who affirmed the company's commitment to supporting sustainable practices within the corporation and with regard to all its partners, he stated:“Ali Bin Ali Beverages is committed to upholding its unwavering dedication championing sustainability in the region and beyond. Our partnership with PepsiCo, who unveiled their latest 100% recycled bottles, is a testament to that. We at Ali Bin Ali Beverages align our operations with a deeply rooted belief in the three Rs of waste management, reduce, reuse and recycle, and in supporting the country's vision for 2030. That belief is reflected in all our operations and initiatives.”
The launch of the Aquafina 100% recycled bottles comes at a momentous time when PepsiCo and Ali Bin Ali Beverages are marking their 60th anniversary of partnership. Nonetheless, the launch is set to be key initiative in addressing one of the challenges affecting humanity today – environmental degradation. Through it, the brand embraces greener means of manufacturing its products thereby acting on climate change.
Notably, Aquafina, PepsiCo's global hydration brand, is the first beverage brand in Qatar, and the GCC region, to introduce locally manufactured, 100% recycled plastic bottles, demonstrating the brand's commitment to drive a circular economy and reduce packaging waste. The new packaging will launch with the 330ml and 500ml Aquafina bottles, allowing consumewrs to stay hydrated with more sustainable packaging. Plastic bottles are an easy solution for consumers looking to transition to more sustainable lifestyles.
*Excluding the cap and label.