PET recycling plant opens with drinks industry cooperation

A new PET recycling plant has opened in Albury–Wodonga, with the capacity to recycle around the equivalent of one billion PET beverage bottles each year.

The plant is a joint venture between Pact Group, Cleanaway Waste Management, Asahi Beverages and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP). CCEP and Asahi, despite being competitors on the drinks market, have worked together in order to boost the amount of PET material recycled in the country.

“This recycling plant is a testament to the sustainability commitment of each organisation involved. It can’t be underestimated how significant this project will be — we are providing an industry-wide solution that will benefit all Australians,” said Asahi Beverages’ Group CEO, Robert Iervasi.

“Asahi Beverages already has a large beverage manufacturing plant in Albury, and we are excited to expand our presence, helping create more local jobs and helping lead the acceleration of Australia’s circular economy. Our consumers told us they wanted more recycled bottles, and together we have worked out a way to do that that will make a real impact.”

The recycled PET (rPET) will be used in beverage packaging, with CCEP, Asahi and Pact Group, which produces environmentally friendly packaging, purchasing the material for use in bottling their own products. A second plant in Victoria will continue the combined venture in the future, further increasing the number of PET bottles recycled by another billion annually.

“CCEP is committed to playing a leading role in Australia’s circular economy. With our partners, we are working towards creating a closed loop for our bottles where they are used, collected and given another life,” said Peter West, Coca-Cola Europacific Partner’s Vice President and General Manager Australia, Pacific and Indonesia.

“This plant, and the future Victorian plant, will complete this loop, help to solve the national rPET shortage and create new jobs for Australian workers. It is a proud moment in our corporate history.”

The plant is currently operational with expectations that it will recycle around 30,000 tonnes of PET each year and will employ dozens of people.