Heineken commits US$ 119.76M to returnable glass project in South Africa

SOUTH AFICA – In a bold move towards sustainability, multinational beer producer Heineken has announced a significant investment of R2.3 billion (US$119.76 million) in its returnable bottle program in South Africa.

This investment represents more than doubling its share of returnable glass beer bottles and is part of its broader goal to transition to 65% returnable glass bottles.

Aligning with its global ambition of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 under the company’s Brew a Better World strategy, Heineken is making substantial strides in environmental responsibility.

While Heineken beer boasts a consistent bottle design across 190 countries worldwide, the brewer is breaking tradition by unveiling a new design specifically for its returnable bottle in South Africa.

Named the Star Bottle, this newly designed 650 ml returnable bottle features the iconic Heineken star on its body, along with the Heineken name deep etched into the glass.

In conjunction with the launch of its returnable bottle, Heineken will establish several Heineken Green Zones in communities across the country, including Phillipi in Cape Town, and Eldorado Park and Lawley in Johannesburg.

These Green Zones will comprise open parks and meadows complemented by food and flower gardens, as well as creative arts spaces.

Partnering with GreenPop, an organization dedicated to reforestation and urban green zones in sub-Saharan Africa, Heineken aims to promote sustainability-driven behaviors within communities while providing essential recreational areas integrating food gardens and inspiring art installations.

The company plans to complete five green zones in the first half of 2024, covering more than 30,000 square meters of indigenous plants.

Heineken Beverages MD Jordi Borrut emphasized the significance of these initiatives, stating, “Sustainability is a journey, and we are starting with a few footsteps in the right direction.”

In addition to the introduction of the new returnable bottle, Heineken has made substantial investments in sustainable infrastructure.

This includes a water reclamation facility established in 2022 and a 6.5 MW solar power plant with over 14,000 panels for its Sedibeng brewery, resulting in a reduction of the brewery’s carbon emissions by approximately 30%.

Borrut highlighted the broader impact of Heineken’s sustainability efforts, stating, “The Heineken Returnable Star bottle is not just about clearing glass.

“We should always push ourselves to do more to create sustainable change in the communities where our business operates.”

Furthermore, Heineken has joined various global sustainability initiatives, including the Climate Group’s RE100 program, the We Mean Business Coalition, the Race to Zero movement, the Business Ambition for 1.5 °C, and the Climate Pledge.

Emphasizing the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainable business operations, Borrut concluded, “The introduction of the new Heineken returnable bottle, along with the investment in the Green Zones, marks small but meaningful steps in the right direction.”

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