Energy drinks company Lucozade Ribena Suntory and Virgin Money London Marathon (VMLM) have launched a closed-loop recycling initiative to offer runners sampling bottles made out of 100% recycled PET.
Under the partnership, all plastic bottles on the Marathon course in Tower Hamlets, Greenwich, Southwark and Canary Wharf will be collected and then recycled by Lucozade Ribena Suntory back into bottles.
Lucozade has also committed to distributing bottles made out of 100% recycled plastic bottles at all races and sport events, starting with the London marathon later this month.
In a 9 April statement, the company said it is recycling PET bottles to produce 380ml bottles, which are manufactured specifically for sampling at events.
The process saves 7.8 tonnes of virgin plastics a year.
Additionally, following a successful trial last year, three of the Lucozade Sport stations on the course of the London Marathon will feature compostable cups.
The cups will then be collected and composted at a plant in Bedford.
“We’re also delighted to be working closely with the London Marathon events team to… roll out a fully closed-loop recycling process for the Virgin Money London Marathon,” said Michelle Norman, director of external affairs and sustainability at Lucozade Ribena Suntory.
Earlier in April, Ribena, another brand in the Lucozade Ribena Suntory portfolio, announced plans to make all its bottles “fully compatible” with the UK’s current recycling technologies.
The Ribena brand already uses 100% recycled plastic to produce its bottles
Lucozade samples to come in recycled bottles at London Marathon
Lucozade
Company recycling PET bottles to produce 380ml bottles, which are manufactured specifically for sampling at events