Many businesses are realising the value of running sustainably, especially as more people start looking into the practices of these businesses. The beverage industry produces a lot of waste because of the use of plastics in their packaging, such as in water bottles and coffee cups. All of these end up in the environment where they cause damage that is very costly to deal with. So, what eco-friendly options can players in the industry turn to instead?
PET Bottles in Place of Glass Bottles
Glass bottles can seem like the most sustainable option for the beverage industry because glass is highly recyclable. The problem is that glass requires a lot of energy to create and recycle, increasing glass manufacturers’ carbon footprints.
While it is a plastic, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is an excellent alternative to glass because it is 100% recyclable and appealing to consumers and manufacturers alike because it is strong, clear, and lightweight.
Since they can be moulded into different shapes, manufacturers can create shapes that let them pack more PET bottles in a pallet. Shipping more produce using lightweight bottles reduces the energy required during transportation, letting manufacturers do even more for the environment.
Reusable Coffee Cups
The world consumes a lot of coffee in a day, and most of it is served in single-use plastic cups that end up in our environment, where they continue causing damage since they are not biodegradable. Businesses have taken initiatives to make themselves greener while improving their brand image by using recyclable paper coffee cups.
Ripple cups have become a popular option in restaurants and other establishments that want to provide an eco-friendly serving option. The design of ripple cups is meant to not only ensure they keep beverages warm but that they are also easy to grip. Their insulating properties also eliminate the need for cup sleeves that increase business costs and the pollution that occurs when plastic ones end up in the environment.
Aluminium Cans and Their Alternatives
Aluminium cans remain the most popular packaging option for ready-to-drink beverages. The material is infinitely recyclable and can undergo the process hundreds of times without losing its qualities.
Aluminium cans are a lightweight option that reduces CO2 emissions during transportation, are easier to pack and store due to their shape and size, and are a portable option for consumers.
Even with its outstanding qualities, various innovators have developed an alternative to aluminium. Alternatives are being made out of paper, meaning they are more eco-friendly than aluminium and use less raw material and energy to produce. All of this raw material also comes from renewable sources, which is another win for the beverage industry.
Cardboard Beer Can Holders
In the past, beer can holders were made out of plastics that ended up in the environment, our waterways, and our oceans and lakes. Switching to cardboard holders has been a significant revolution, with the use of this biodegradable, recyclable, and sustainably sourced material increasing every year.
Since it produces a significant amount of plastic that ends up in the environment, the beverage industry has long been under pressure to switch to more eco-friendly options. Fortunately, there are many options already available and many others in development that will reduce the impact of the industry’s waste on the environment.
