AB InBev India | Circular Packaging Sustainability Campaign | Network18 | CNN News18

Summary

The packaging industry, valued at nearly two trillion dollars, is growing rapidly, particularly in India, where it's projected to expand at a 26.6% annual rate. However, this growth brings environmental concerns, as packaging waste is a significant contributor to landfills and pollution. AB InBev addresses this by launching a circular packaging initiative, aiming for 100% of its packaging to be either recycled content or returnable by 2025. This includes a focus on sustainable glass bottles and infinitely recyclable aluminum cans, reducing environmental impact. Innovations like using waste from farmers' fields to create packaging and developing plant-based alternatives for plastic components are part of their commitment to a circular economy, aligning with sustainable development goals.

Takeaways

• 💰 The packaging industry is a nearly two trillion dollar sector globally.
• 📈 India's packaging industry is expected to grow at a rate of 26.6% per year over the next five years.
• 🚮 In 2018, 28% of all waste generated was from containers and packaging, highlighting the environmental impact.
• 🌱 AB InBev has launched a circular packaging initiative aiming for 100% of its packaging to be from recycled content or returnable by 2025.
• ♻️ Innovation in circular packaging is crucial for sustainability, focusing on reuse, recycling, or compostability.
• 🍺 AB InBev is focusing on making their primary packaging sustainable, with a 98% returnable glass bottle rate in India.
• 🔄 The use of returnable bottles reduces the need for raw materials and improves environmental and carbon footprint.
• 🥤 Aluminum cans are infinitely recyclable, with 75% of all aluminum beverage cans still in use.
• 🌿 AB InBev is collaborating with startups to innovate and upcycle packaging materials.
• 🌱 They are undertaking projects to remove plastic from their supply chain by using materials like cotton and barley pulp.
• 🌍 By replacing keg caps with natural alternatives, AB InBev aims to save over 2 million kilograms of CO2 emissions and reduce plastic waste.

Q & A

What is the projected growth rate of India's packaging industry in the next five years?

India's packaging industry is projected to grow at a rate of 26.6 percent per year in the next five years.

What percentage of waste generated in 2018 was attributed to containers and packaging?

In 2018, 28% of all waste generated was from containers and packaging.

What is AB InBev's circular packaging goal?

AB InBev's circular packaging goal is to ensure that by 2025, 100% of their packaging material will either be made of recycled content or be in the form of returnable material.

What is the current percentage of returnable bottles used by AB InBev in India?

Currently, AB InBev is using 98% returnable bottles in India.

How does using returnable bottles impact the environment according to the script?

Using returnable bottles helps reduce the amount of raw materials taken from the environment, improving the environmental and carbon footprint.

Why are cans considered an environmentally friendly packaging option?

Cans are considered environmentally friendly because they can be recycled infinitely with no loss of quality, and reusing aluminum conserves up to 95% of energy compared to making new cans.

What percentage of recycled content do the aluminum beverage cans supplied by Ball in India have?

The aluminum beverage cans supplied by Ball in India have 70 to 75 percent recycled content.

What is AB InBev's commitment to innovation and upcycling in packaging?

AB InBev is committed to aligning with startups that innovate in sustainable packaging, aiming for a 100% transformation of packaging and pushing for upcycling at a mass scale.

How does AB InBev plan to reduce plastic pollution from keg caps?

AB InBev aims to replace plastic keg caps with a natural and plant-based alternative, which will help save over 2 million kilograms of CO2 emissions, divert over 100 million liters of water, and 1300 tons of plastic from landfills.

What is the environmental benefit of the biodegradable packaging and ink used by AB InBev?

The biodegradable packaging and ink used by AB InBev ensure that the entire process from farm to consumer is sustainable, with the packaging being compostable in a back garden.

How does AB InBev's approach to packaging align with the philosophy of sustainable development goals (SDGs)?

AB InBev's approach to packaging aligns with SDGs by focusing on sustainability and driving towards a circular economy that is organic, natural, and future-ready.

Outlines

00:00

🌱 Sustainable Packaging Initiatives

The script discusses the immense growth of the packaging industry, projected to reach nearly two trillion dollars, with India's sector expected to grow at an annual rate of 26.6 percent over the next five years. Despite its societal necessity, packaging's environmental impact is significant, with a large portion of waste generated from containers and packaging. AB InBev has recognized the need for sustainable packaging, leading to their circular packaging initiative. By 2025, the company aims for all its packaging to be either made from recycled content or be returnable. This initiative not only reduces environmental impact but also conserves energy and resources. The script highlights the use of returnable glass bottles, which are predominant in the business, and the focus on using sustainable and circular packaging. It also mentions the importance of innovation in packaging to make it more eco-friendly, such as using biodegradable materials and upcycling waste.

05:02

🌿 Environmental Impact Reduction Through Packaging Innovation

This paragraph delves into the specific initiatives AB InBev is undertaking to reduce its environmental footprint. It discusses the development of a natural and plant-based alternative to traditional packaging materials, which is expected to save over 2 million kilograms of CO2 emissions, divert over 100 million liters of water, and keep 1300 tons of plastic out of landfills. The company is also working on innovative projects to remove plastic from their supply chain, such as using waste from farmers' fields to create sustainable packaging. The script emphasizes the company's commitment to aligning with startups that innovate in packaging to achieve a more sustainable and circular economy, which aligns with the broader goals of sustainability and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Keywords

💡Packaging Industry

The packaging industry is a sector of manufacturing that focuses on the design, evaluation, and production of packages for goods. In the video, it is highlighted as a significant economic force, with a global value nearing two trillion dollars. The script emphasizes the industry's rapid growth in India, which is projected to grow at an annual rate of 26.6 percent over the next five years, indicating its importance in the global economy and the potential environmental impact due to this growth.

💡Sustainable Packaging

Sustainable packaging refers to the use of packaging materials that are environmentally responsible and can be recycled, reused, or are compostable. The video underscores the importance of sustainable packaging by showcasing how companies like AB InBev are striving to make 100% of their packaging material either from recycled content or in the form of returnable material by 2025. This approach is crucial for reducing the environmental footprint of packaging waste.

💡Circular Packaging Initiative

The circular packaging initiative is a strategy aimed at making packaging circular, meaning it is designed to be reused, recycled, or composted, thus reducing waste. AB InBev's initiative is highlighted in the script, with a goal to achieve 100% sustainable packaging by 2025, which includes using recycled content or creating returnable materials. This initiative is a key part of the company's commitment to reducing its environmental impact.

💡Returnable Bottles

Returnable bottles are containers that can be collected, cleaned, and refilled multiple times, reducing the need for new raw materials and the amount of waste generated. The script mentions that AB InBev in India is already at a 98% usage rate of returnable bottles, which not only generates indirect employment for collectors but also significantly reduces the company's environmental and carbon footprint.

💡Infinite Recyclability

Infinite recyclability refers to the ability of certain materials, like aluminum, to be recycled indefinitely without losing quality. The video script emphasizes that cans are the most recycled container globally due to this property. It also mentions that reusing aluminum conserves up to 95% of energy compared to producing new cans, illustrating the environmental benefits of infinite recyclability.

💡Recycled Content

Recycled content refers to materials that have been processed after their initial use to be used again in new products. The script discusses how AB InBev is focusing on incorporating more recycled content into their packaging, such as using 70-75% recycled aluminum in their beverage cans in India. This practice contributes to the circular economy by reducing the demand for virgin materials.

💡Compostable

Compostable materials are those that can break down into natural elements and contribute to the humus in the soil, supporting plant growth. The video mentions the development of packaging made from barley pulp, which is processed into sheets and then made into boxes. This material is biodegradable, and the script highlights how it can be composted in a garden, aligning with the theme of creating environmentally friendly packaging.

💡Upcycling

Upcycling is the process of transforming waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value. The script refers to AB InBev's commitment to align with startups that innovate in packaging, aiming to upcycle materials on a mass scale. This approach is part of the broader goal of creating a sustainable and circular economy.

💡Keg Caps

Keg caps are the small plastic covers used to seal kegs. The script points out that while they may seem insignificant, they contribute to plastic pollution. AB InBev's goal is to replace these with a natural and plant-based alternative, which would save over 2 million kilograms of CO2 emissions, divert over 100 million liters of water, and keep 1300 tons of plastic out of landfills, showcasing the company's efforts to reduce its environmental footprint.

💡Circular Economy

A circular economy is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. The video script discusses how AB InBev's initiatives, including sustainable packaging and upcycling, contribute to a circular economy. The company's goal is to move towards an ideal packaging value chain that is sustainable and future-ready, aligning with the broader philosophy of sustainable development goals.

Highlights

Packaging industry is a nearly two trillion dollar sector, with India's market expected to grow at a 26.6% annual rate over the next five years.

In 2018, 28% of all waste generated was attributed to containers and packaging.

AB InBev recognizes the need for sustainable packaging and launches a circular packaging initiative.

AB InBev's goal is for 100% of their packaging material to be made of recycled content or be returnable by 2025.

Innovation in circular packaging is aimed at creating reusable, recyclable, or compostable materials.

Glass and cans are highlighted as materials that can be endlessly recycled.

AB InBev in India is at a 98% returnable bottle rate, significantly reducing raw material use.

The use of returnable bottles helps improve environmental and carbon footprints.

Cans are the most recycled container globally due to their infinite recyclability without quality loss.

Reuse of aluminum cans conserves 95% of energy compared to producing new cans.

75% of the aluminum used in beverage cans is still in use, showcasing the metal's recyclability.

In India, aluminum beverage cans supplied by Ball contain 70-75% recycled content.

AB InBev is committed to aligning with startups for innovative, sustainable packaging solutions.

AB InBev is undertaking projects to remove plastic from their supply chain by using wrap-around cotton.

Barley waste is repurposed to create pulp, which is then processed into sheets for packaging boxes.

The ink used for printing on the packaging is biodegradable, ensuring the entire process is sustainable.

Replacing keg caps with a natural, plant-based alternative is expected to save over 2 million kilograms of CO2 emissions.

AB InBev's initiatives aim to create a sustainable and future-ready packaging value chain.

The company's efforts tie back to their philosophy of sustainability and SDG goals.

Transcripts

[Music]

[Music]

packaging today

is almost a two trillion dollar industry

and in the next five years india's

packaging

industry is projected to grow at the

rate of

26.6 percent per year

while it is an indispensable part of our

society

the growing negative impact of packaging

can no longer be ignored

in 2018 28

of all waste generated was from

containers and packaging

and as this packaging waste continues to

increase

annually it will pile up in landfills

choke drains and rivers and flow into

the sea

abe inbev realized that the only way

forward

is to make packaging sustainable and

this led

to a b inbev's circular packaging

initiative

our circular packaging goal is the most

exciting one

and the most obvious one when it comes

to the way our industry works

so if you look at the way our goal is

defined it says that by 2025

100 of our packaging material will

either be made of

recycled content or remade in the form

of returnable material

every change made in the packaging

practices today

has the potential to have a compounding

positive effect

on the environment the innovation in the

circular packaging will be

helpful in terms of deriving things

which we can

really use reuse recycle

or is at least compostable which means

it's environmentally friendly

glass and cans can be endlessly recycled

with this objective ab inbev is focused

on making their primary

packaging sustainable and circular

glass bottle is actually of a

predominant

scale and impact for the business

currently at an india level we are at 98

percent so we are using 98

returnable bottles it's about generating

indirect employment for those craft

collectors and every one of these

stakeholders onto a value chain

the more returnable bottles we use the

less raw materials we will be taking

from the environment

it really helps improve the

environmental and carbon footprint

which goes a long way in providing our

action to the culture

and thought of being sustainable by 2025

and using 100 of sustainable packaging

into all our products in india on the

other hand

cans continue to be the most recycled

container in the world

because of their capacity to be recycled

infinitely with no loss of quality

if you look at the life cycle of a can

if you keep on using it again and again

and are not making new cans you end up

actually conserving 95 percent of energy

by not making a new can and by reusing

that aluminum which is already available

in the ecosystem

aluminum as a metal is infinitely

recyclable

and the hard fact around that is 75 of

the aluminum

is still in use the aluminum beverage

cans what you get

in india supplied by ball have 70 to 75

percent recycled content

so this stewardship initiative ensures

that

we are not harming the environment we

are not harming

uh in our supply chains as we go along

along with these core practices

working towards a hundred percent

transformation of packaging

has also meant pushing for innovation

and up cycling at a mass scale our

commitment is to really align

with a lot of startups who are trying to

innovate

the secular packaging which would really

help us

in terms of being more sustainable there

are

specific projects which we are right now

undertaking in terms of removal

of that plastic or shrink in our supply

chain by making wrap around cotton

the waste that the farmers have on the

field now is taken by us

and what we do we make a packaging out

of regularly so we take barley we make

pulp out of it and then we process it

through sheets and then we make a box

and then have a print

the print and the ink that we also use

is is biodegradable

so the entire process you know from say

farm to your

living room is completely sustainable

you can take that box and you can put it

in your back garden

and that will become compost kegs caps

the small plastic covers on top seem

insignificant

but they add up and have a significant

impact to the environment

by contributing to the increasing

plastic pollution

our goal was to find a way to create an

entirely natural and plant-based

alternative

with our technology and their expertise

in manufacturing

the product itself with replacing just

keg caps we'll be able to save over 2

million kilograms of co2 emissions

entering into our atmosphere

divert over 100 million liters of water

and 1300 tons of plastic from entering

our landfills

so our material is helping reduce our

environmental footprint overall

and creating a truly circular product

for supply chains today

all these initiatives come together and

move forward towards the ideal packaging

value chain

that is sustainable and future ready

this ties back into our philosophy of

sdg goals

of sustainability and this is what we

think will drive us towards a more

organic and natural circular economy in

[Music]

itself

[Music]

you