Coca-Cola and M&S back PET recycling trials

Trials aimed at encouraging the use of recycled PET in retail packaging will begin in the UK this year.

Major brands and retailers including Coca-Cola, Marks & Spencer and Boots are backing the project, which is being funded by the Waste & Action Resources Programme (Wrap).

Over 2,000 tonnes of rPET will be used in the trials, which will address consumer and industry perceptions, technical performance and cost implications. Wrap said the research should lead to a direct increase in the amount of rPET used in the UK and encourage recovery of used packaging.

Two of the three trials involve food and beverage packaging. Coca-Cola will use rPET for bottling soft drinks in a six-month trial, during which time the products will be on national distribution.

London Remade, in partnership with Closed Loop London, will be leading the M&S and Boots projects, adding technical and recycling expertise to the retailers’ experience in packaging.

M&S will use rPET in a selection of packaging lines, including juice and smoothie drinks bottles and prepared salad bowls. Boots will trial the material in personal care products.

The project will be completed in March 2006 and the results will be publicly available soon after.