PepsiCo to replace Aquafina plastic water bottles with aluminium cans in its U.S. locations

As an initiative towards cutting down the use of plastic in its products, PepsiCo is planning to replace its Aquafina plastic water bottles with aluminium cans in the U.S.  Consumer backlash against the use of plastic has been growing across the country because of its terrible impact on the ocean ecosystem.  Pepsi’s canned water will now be available at food vendors who stock its products.

The move could put tough competition to retail startups like Liquid Death, which is launching canned “tallboys” of water with message about recycling and environment conservation. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable and has a better environmental footprint as a packaging choice.  

Pepsi is considering a transition to aluminium cans across its supply chain in near future and the shift will be starting from next year.

“As one of the world’s leading food and beverage companies, we recognize the significant role PepsiCo can play in helping to change the way society makes, uses, and disposes of plastics,” said PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Ramon Laguarta.

“We are doing our part to address the issue head on by reducing, recycling and reinventing our packaging to make it more sustainable, and we won’t stop until we live in a world where plastics are renewed and reused,” he added.

The company also announced its LIFEWTR brand would be sold in 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate and its bubly product will no more have plastic packaging. The shift to aluminium from plastic will eliminate 8,000 tonnes of virgin plastic and roughly 11,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. Pepsi has a plan to use only recyclable, compostable or biodegradable packaging by 2025.