News & Events
Heinz will now produce its ketchup bottles using PlantBottle® packaging, marking the biggest change to their iconic design since 1983.
Launched by Coca Cola in 2009, PlantBottle® packaging has a lower reliance on non-renewable resources compared with traditional PET plastic bottles, with nearly 30% of its material derived from plants.
Dr Richard Murphy, an Imperial academic in the Division of Biology, headed up an initial life cycle analysis of the product. His team were able to confirm that Coca Cola’s innovative packaging reduced CO2 impact by 12-19%.
In 2010 alone, the use of this breakthrough packaging eliminated the equivalent of almost 30,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or approximately 60,000 barrels of oil.
Both Heinz and Coca Cola hope that others will follow in the use of more sustainable materials, transforming how food is packaged around the world.
Life cycle analysis (LCA) is a tool used to assess the environmental impact of a product or process.
Share post:
Latest news, insights and events
Imperial’s COVID-19 vaccine explained
As the first trials of Imperial’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate got underway in June, Professor Robin Shattock, Dr Katrina Pollock and Dr David Owen explain how the vaccine works, how it’s being trialled, and plans to help it reach populations around the world, if it proves to be effective in protecting people against COVID-19. read more
Collaborating to beat cyber threats
Cyber Security regularly rears its head in the press, with the government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) clocking up 1,131 incidents since last October. To manage the risk industry, government and academics from a multitude of disciplines are joining forces. read more
Imperial’s experts to help clean-tech startups
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced the launch of Better Futures - an incubator focused on clean-tech startups to be led by Sustainable Bridges and delivered by the GLA, Imperial College London, Imperial Consultants and OPDC (Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation). read more