PepsiCo Pakistan leads the way for a circular economy for plastics

Envisioning a world where packaging never becomes waste, in Pakistan, PepsiCo has launched several meaningful programs to drive a circular economy for plastics in pursuit of reducing plastic waste. As a global food and beverage company, PepsiCo aims to use its reach and influence to help change the way society makes, uses and disposes of plastics.

PepsiCo Pakistan collaborated with the Islamabad Administration, ‘Saaf Suthra Shehar’, and Haidri Beverages Limited to incentivise plastic waste collection for the citizens of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Running successfully in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, PepsiCo's Saaf Suthra Shehar recycling program encourages citizens to actively play a part in making their cities green and clean. Through the program, a free Aquafina refill is given to the citizen for every 10 used plastic bottles returned, thus incentivizing waste segregation.

In 2021, PepsiCo launched Pakistan’s largest plastic waste collection programs and collected and recycled over 16,000 tons of plastic. This is the largest voluntary plastic collection scheme in Pakistan and has been highly appreciated by the Ministry of Climate Change and WWF-Pakistan.

Along with this, PepsiCo is also conducting trials to recycle used plastic bottles back into plastic bottles via its collaboration with Novatex Limited. Recycled PET or RPET will significantly reduce the use of virgin plastics. The companies are working together to significantly scale up the collection of used plastic bottles in Pakistan and to commercialise the use of bottles made from recycled plastics.

Creating opportunities for consumers to play a role in reducing plastic waste, PepsiCo unveiled the first of its kind Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) at the Jinnah Super Market in Islamabad last year. For consumers, this makes recycling plastic bottles easier, as they can avail discounts for food outlets in exchange for used plastic bottles. The RVM is part of the company’s larger strategy and intent to take meaningful steps towards tackling the issue of plastic waste.

On this World Environment Day responsible corporate leaders such as PepsiCo Pakistan are a reminder to us of how each individual has an important part to play in protecting our environment.