Califia Farms made a major announcement regarding its waste output. The company has transitioned all of its bottles in the U.S. and Canada to 100 percent recycled plastic (rPET), a move that will help reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 19 percent and cut its energy use in half.
“This transition to 100 percent rPET represents a significant commitment to soften Califia’s environmental footprint,” said Dave Ritterbush, Chief Executive Officer at Califia Farms. “While Califia is an inherently sustainable business thanks to the plant-based products we produce, we recognize the importance of ongoing, forward progress in our sustainability journey. By moving to 100% rPET for our iconic curvy bottle, we’re taking a major step in reducing our reliance on virgin plastic and advancing the principles of a circular economy.”
The packaging update impacts the brand’s broad portfolio of refrigerated plant milks, creamers, coffees, and tea, a press release explained. The switch reflects Califia’s ongoing commitment to a cleaner, healthier planet and its efforts to curb demand for new plastic. 
The concept of circularity is firmly embedded at Califia. Through the brand’s sustainability programs, Califia has completed several light-weighting projects to reduce the use of plastic. Between 2019 and 2023, these efforts have kept four million pounds of plastic from being made. 
“Replacing virgin plastic with recycled plastic is a critical part of ‘closing the loop’ in a circular economy,” said Ella Rosenbloom, Vice President of Sustainability. “When it comes to circularity, we’re focused on accelerating change and thoughtfully considering how best to innovate, circulate, and eliminate the plastic that we use. This rPET project has been an enormously rewarding and complex one that has involved countless team members focused entirely on driving positive impact.”
While all Califia bottles in North America have successfully converted to 100 percent rPET, the brand will update its packaging to communicate the change to consumers starting in the spring of this year.
How will other companies continue to reduce plastic in their products? Deli Market News will continue to report.
