THEAnd plastic bottles that we all know are about to change their skin. The European Union directive 904 of 2019, better known as SUP, Single Use Plastic, has started a real green revolution that will transform one of the most common objects in our daily lives. A turning point that promises to change not only the way we drink, but also to drastically reduce the environmental impact of disposable plastic products, with particular attention to bottles.
Plastic bottles: the big turning point of 2025
The bottles on supermarket shelves are changing and their transformation will be decidedly profound: it will, in fact, concern the composition of the material itself. Each bottle up to three liters will have to contain at least a quarter of recycled plastica percentage destined to grow in the coming years.
Objectives of the SUP Directive over time
Among the main objectives of the SUP directiveIn fact, there are collecting 90% of these bottles for recycling by 2029with an intermediate target of 77% by 2025. Furthermore, by 2025, PET bottles must be made up of at least 25% recycled plastic, a percentage that must increase to 30% by 2030.
Plastic bottles. (Getty Images)
How will we recognize the new plastic bottles?
The most noticeable change will be in color. The new bottles may appear with darker or yellowish shadesa distinctive sign of the presence of recycled material. This is not a defect, but a “sustainability certificate” visible to the naked eye. It is important not to confuse this feature with signs of deterioration of the product: the contents maintain their quality and safety intact.
The impact on our daily lives
For consumers, the transformation will be gradual, but significant. The bottles will maintain their functionality, with the now familiar “attached” cap recently introducedbut they will become tangible evidence of a concrete environmental commitment. Every time we buy a bottle, we will actively contribute to reducing the use of virgin plastic.
A revolution on an industrial scale
For the beverage industry, this legislation represents a major challenge. Manufacturers are revolutionizing their production lines to incorporate ever-increasing percentages of recycled material. Some pioneering companies have already achieved impressive resultsdemonstrating that the transition is not only possible, but also economically sustainable.
The numbers of the green turning point
The impact of this transformation is expected to be significantfor at least three reasons: the first, as already mentioned, because each bottle will contain at least 25% recycled plastic; the second, that the reduction in the use of plastic virgin will result in less oil consumption. And the third, why the life cycle of plastic is getting longerreducing waste sent to landfill.
Risks and alternatives to plastic bottles
Plastic bottles, often made of PET, polyethylene terephthalate, can be dangerous to your health. In fact, they can release harmful substances and microplastics, especially if exposed to high temperatures. This makes it essential to consider safer alternativessuch as stainless steel or glass water bottles, which are not only safer for your health, but also more environmentally friendly. There are also bioplastic optionsproduced from plant materials such as corn, which are compostable and do not contain BPA or plasticizers, decomposing in three months.
Looking to the future
This transformation is just the beginning of a broader path towards sustainability. The bottles of the future should evolve furtherwith ever-increasing percentages of recycled material and new innovative solutions to reduce environmental impact. It is certain, however, that to achieve success in this area, everyone’s commitment is fundamental, preferring reusable and sustainable solutions and actively participating in separate waste collection. In fact, only collective action will be able to mitigate the environmental impact of this waste
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