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.