PETValue PH recycles 1B PET bottles
PETValue Philippines has reached a landmark of recycling 1 billion polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, demonstrating the impact of strong collective action to attain a fully circular economy.
A joint venture between CocaCola Beverages Philippines Inc. (CCBPI) and Indorama Ventures, PETValue has a multibillion-peso facility that turns used post-consumer clear PET bottles into new food-grade recycled PET bottles, closing the “make-use-recycle” loop for plastic packaging.
“We are immensely proud of PETValue’s journey in the country because it plays a valuable part in a much bigger system that enables a ripple of collective action and sustainable solutions against plastic pollution. PETValue’s recycling milestone is a collective accomplishment that proves that there are billions of reasons we should all work together,” said CCBPI President and Chief Executive OffiCER GARETH MCGEOWN.
Established in General Trias, Cavite, PETValue’s P2.28-billion multiphased joint venture investment uses the most advanced bottle-to-bottle PET recycling technology in the country and directly employs 200 people.
“As an industry-leading initiative and a crucial component of Indorama Ventures and CCBPI’s shared goal of making a difference, PETValue Philippines will continue to help tackle the larger waste management challenge — one milestone at a time,” Indorama Ventures Chairman of the ESG Council Yash Lohia said.
Indorama Ventures is a world leader in PET recycling as the world’s largest producer of recycled resin used in plastic beverage bottles.
The Board of Investments granted PETValue pioneer status in 2020 for its world-class processes to create new recyclable PET packagING. THE RECYCLING FACILITY OFfiCIALLY launched its operations in August 2022 and can process approximately 2 billion pieces of PET plastic bottles annually.
Connecting recycling infrastructure with on-ground collection of post-consumer clear PET bottles, Coca-Cola diverts plastic waste to the facility, through initiatives deployed across the Philippines. It also collaborates with local government units (LGUs) that need assistance in rerouting their recyclables.
CCBPI also has a key program called “Tapon to Ipon: Basta Klaro, Panalo,” a nationwide collection program for post-consumer clear PET plastic bottles of any brand.
An essential component of Tapon to Ipon is its partnerships with micro, small and medium enterprises like sari-sari (variety) stores, leveraging their status as neighborhood collection hubs.
The program continues to grow, even after reaching 170 cities and municipalities nationwide. CCBPI has also partnered with more LGUs — including Davao del Sur, Iloilo and Camiguin — to haul plastic bottle stockpiles to PETValue. Davao del Sur has ALSO OFfiCIALLY INTEGRATED TAPON TO Ipon into its solid waste management plans.
CCBPI recently kick-started a partnership with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, using its mobile material recovery facility program as a collection channel for post-consumer clear PET bottles of any brand, Coca-Cola returnable glass bottles and CocaCola crates collected by the residents of participating barangay (villages). A Tapon to Ipon: Barangay Contest will be held across pilot areas and will award the barangay with the highest number of collected clear PET bottles, glass and crates.