Adhering to its long-term strategy for sustainable development, Pivara Skopje promoted the latest innovation in the PET packaging of drinks in its portfolio, which will contribute to environmental protection.

The new plastic bottles of the soft drinks sold by Pivara Skopje will feature caps that are attached to the packaging, which allows them to be recycled together with it after the consumption of the drink. The first bottles of Rosa with tethered caps have already been distributed to the market and the plan is to introduce the new packaging to all brands of soft drinks of Pivara Skopje by the end of this year at the latest.

“This novelty is an indicator of the responsible attitude that companies like Pivara Skopje have towards the environment. At the same time, it is an example that should be followed by other companies on how to think and act in order to enable a more efficient system for the collection and recycling of all packaging waste. I believe that such solutions, which are also provided for by the EU Directive on Single Use Plastics and which are already partially covered in the domestic legislation, will be multiplied, which will contribute to the realization of our commitments as a Government to create conditions for the development of a sustainable waste management through selection, collection and recycling of waste, as well as building positive habits among the general public. Only with strong partnerships and cooperation will we achieve clear and long-term benefits for the environment,” said the Minister of Environment and Physical Planning Kaja Shukova.

The introduction of tethered caps is the result of a thorough research and development process at the Coca-Cola HBC Group, which included a testing phase, to ensure that the new solution will be a comfortable experience for consumers, while also meeting the highest technical and safety standards. As a result of this process, a solution was chosen that does not affect the way of opening and closing the bottles, which remains the same as before.

“The new solution may seem simple, but for us it represents another significant innovation that helps us, together with consumers and partners, to fulfill our ambitious goals and commitments from the ‘World Without Waste’ platform and the initiative for NETZero emissions in the atmosphere, which are part of our long-term strategy for sustainable development. Through the experience and knowledge of the two groups to which we belong – Coca-Cola HBC and HEINEKEN, we help to advance the legislation of the country and share the same values with consumers from EU countries. At the same time, we are proud that with such innovations we are setting standards for other companies and helping to send a significant message to society that each of us, but also everyone together, can do more to contribute to a cleaner and healthier living environment, thereby for the benefit of the whole community,” said the General Director of Pivara Skopje Goran Sladic.

The introduction of the new plastic packaging with tethered caps was also welcomed by Pakomak – the first and largest specialized company for packaging waste management in the country, which is a long-term partner of Pivara Skopje in meeting the goals of sustainable development and environmental protection.

“This innovation by Pivara Skopje, which I expect will be quickly accepted by other companies and which is part of the current trends in this area in the EU, builds on the other activities that we jointly undertake, which aim to increase the efficiency of the system of collection, selection and recycling of packaging waste in our country. Analyzes of plastic waste in the oceans show that caps are one of the main pollutants, as small waste that citizens care less about. With this innovation, the caps will remain an integral part of the bottle waste and will be safely recycled. The new packaging with tethered caps can be placed in the existing and new recycling vending machines for collecting plastic bottles and cans that we put in busy locations and with which we want to motivate citizens to be actively involved in the selection process and the recycling of all packaging waste, thereby contributing to the creation of a better quality of life for everyone,” said Filip Ivanovski, Executive Director of Pakomak.

The introduction of the tethered caps on the PET packaging is only one segment of the activities of Pivara Skopje with which the company makes its contribution to achieving the commitments for sustainable development.  As part of these commitments, Pivara Skopje already uses packaging that is 100% recyclable, and the company actively participates and supports the collection of packaging waste generated in the market, as well as in its proper selection and recycling.

For its commitments, activities and achievements in sustainable development, The Coca-Cola HBC Group and Pivara Skopje within it, was named the most sustainable beverage company in the world last year, for the sixth time in a row, in the annual ranking by the leading global sustainability index – The Down Jones Sustanability Index.