In an era where sustainability has become a global priority, the growing challenge of packaging waste demands urgent attention from all sectors. Recognizing this issue early on, Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of beverages under the Suntory and PepsiCo brands in Thailand, has proactively advanced its packaging management practices. In an era where sustainability has become a global priority, the growing challenge of packaging waste demands urgent attention from all sectors. Recognizing this issue early on, Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a manufacturer and distributor of beverages under the Suntory and PepsiCo brands in Thailand, has proactively advanced its packaging management practices. By implementing the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which emphasize a manufacturer’s accountability across the entire packaging lifecycle, the company has strengthened its position as one of the leaders in sustainable packaging management, ensuring a more efficient and responsible system. 

According to a 2023 report by the Pollution Control Department, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand generated over 3 million tons of single-use plastic waste, of which only 0.75 million tons—or 25%—was recycled. In response, the company places strong emphasis on initiatives aimed at increasing the circulation of used PET plastic bottles back into the recycling process as much as possible.

Suntory PepsiCo Thailand places equal importance on consumers, society, and the environment alongside business growth, with the goal of becoming a  truly sustainable organization in every dimension—guided by its corporate value of “Growing for Good.” A key milestone in this journey has been the transition from conventional packaging management to Sustainable Packaging Management under the principles of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which addresses every stage of the packaging value chain—from design, material selection, and production to usage and post-consumer packaging management. This holistic approach spans Upstream, by selecting eco-friendly packaging design that 100% recyclable; Midstream, by communicating and educating consumers on the importance of waste segregation; and Downstream, by promoting the collection and recycling of post-consumer PET bottles, particularly clear, colorless PET bottles, that can be safely and efficiently recycled into new bottles, in a process known as Bottle-to-Bottle Recycling.

Upstream: Sustainable Packaging

Suntory PepsiCo Thailand demonstrates its commitment to sustainable packaging from the very start of the value chain by using clear, colorless PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles that are clean, safe, and 100% recyclable. In addition, The company has collaborated with business partners to develop lightweight PET bottles, reducing the use of virgin plastic in production by over 30%—all while maintaining the same quality or durability.

Importantly, Suntory PepsiCo Thailand was the first in Thailand’s beverage market who started using 100% rPET bottles for its Pepsi and TEA+ brand. Since then, it has continued to expand the use of 100% rPET bottles across additional product sizes and flavors. Today, the company is recognized as a leader in the use of recycled PET bottles in Thailand.

To further drive sustainable Bottle-to-Bottle recycling, the company has collaborated closely with various partners to develop packaging innovations, including the production of food-grade recycled plastic resins from post-consumer bottles in Thailand, with a recycling capacity of up to 40,000 tons per year. The company has also developed lightweight carbonated soft drink caps (Lightweight Caps 26/22mm Design), which reduce plastic use by 16% while maintaining strength and fizziness retention, piloted on selected sizes of Pepsi and Pepsi Zero Sugar products. In addition, the company has discontinued the use of color-printed logo on caps to improve recyclability—further reducing virgin plastic use, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizing overall environmental impact.

Midstream: Communicating and Educating Consumers about the Importance of Waste Segregation 

Suntory PepsiCo Thailand believes that the collaboration across all sectors—particularly consumers’ participation—is essential to achieving sustainable packaging management. Therefore, the company places strong emphasis on communication efforts to build “awareness, understanding, and a sense of responsibility” for proper waste segregation. Key initiatives include sharing information and educational articles through both online and offline channels, providing recycling guidance directly on product labels, and organizing educational activities in communities. The content covers proper waste segregation practices, the 3R Principles (Reduce – Reuse – Recycle), and deeper understanding of PET and rPET packaging. The ultimate goal is to encourage consumers to “see the value of waste” and actively participate in proper segregating of post-consumer packaging to support effective recycling.

Downstream: Post-Consumption Packaging Management

To drive post-consumption packaging management into tangible action, Suntory PepsiCo Thailand has embeded the EPR principles into its Packaging Sustainability Strategy, focusing on three main approaches:

1. Packaging-Based Sustainability – Through the “Packaging Recovery Organization Thailand Network” (PRO-Thailand Network), of which Suntory PepsiCo Thailand has been one of eight founding members since 2019, voluntarily united to promote sustainable packaging management with the EPR as its core principle. The PRO-Thailand Network plays a key role in fostering cooperation between all stakeholders throughout the packaging value chain, improving the suitable recycling systems, and establishing PRO model through pilot projects to drive continuous improvements in collection and recycling, with the aim of enabling government adoption at the national level. Notably, from 2020 to 2024, this collaboration successfully collected 56,734.15 tons of post-consumer PET bottles, 1,077.45 tons of post-consumer UHT beverage cartons, and 1,337.15 tons of multi-layer packaging (MLP).

2. Area-Based Packaging Sustainability - Through the “Bottle-to-Bottle Recycling by Suntory PepsiCo Thailand” project, the company aims to collect post-consumer PET bottles for recycling into new bottles, also known as 100% recycled PET bottles (or 100% rPET bottles). The initiative is being piloted in Rayong province, home to the company’s production base, and serves as a model for future expansion. The project brings together private sector partners, local government agencies, and communities, with collaboration focused on three main activities:

• Set up more than 220 PET bottle collection bins across Rayong, covering key locations such as government offices, educational institutions, and public areas.

• Establish the “Recyclable Waste Trading Station” in Mab Yang Porn Subdistrict, operated by community volunteers, with the goals of “reducing” landfill waste, “increasing” the quality and quantity of recyclable materials,  and “generating” income for local residents through waste segregation.

• Organize waste segregation education in collaboration with the Mab Yang Porn Subdistrict Administrative Organization, engaging students in interactive learning under the “Bottle-to-Bottle Recycling by Suntory PepsiCo Thailand” project. The program fosters proper waste segregation habits after using, helping to expand the impact into families and local communities.

3. Event-Based Packaging Sustainability – The company supports waste segregation and management at major music festivals and national events in collaboration with both public and private sector, encouraging public participation in proper waste segregation. Key activities include:

• The “Waste Nothing” campaign, Suntory PepsiCo Thailand in collaboration with the Pepsi Presents Big Mountain Music Festival working team, implementing entire waste segregation and management. In 2024, the event achieved a significant milestone by segregating 11,150 kilograms of waste, including 1,485 kilograms of used PET plastic bottles, which were sent and processed through the Bottle-to-Bottle Recycling. The campaign was also extended to the S2O Songkran Music Festival, with waste segregation stations throughout the festival grounds.

• Providing PET bottle collection bins to Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) for use at the Red Cross Fair for three consecutive years (2022–2024), with more than 125 PET collection bins along with waste segregation signage to support proper waste segregation and management at the event.

Suntory PepsiCo Thailand is committed to advancing sustainable packaging management with a goal that goes beyond simply reducing landfill waste, namely creating a closed-loop packaging management in which all stakeholders from community to national level—work together to drive long-term change. The company aims to expand the reach of its sustainable packaging initiatives while strengthening partnerships with government agencies, private sectors, and civil society. In doing so, it strives to strike the balance between driving business growth, meeting consumer needs, and caring for society and the environment in a truly sustainable way.