Samoa Breweries’ General Manager says the company is working to reduce its environmental footprint, following environmental concerns about the company's decision to switch away from using glass bottles.

In April, environmentalist and President of the Samoa Conservation Society (S.C.S), James Atherton, started a petition for the maker of global soft drink Coca-Cola to rethink their switch to plastic bottles. 

The petition has recently gained more than 700 signatures and has been shared by many people on social media.

Samoa Breweries’ General Manager, Brent Adams, told the Samoa Observer that they have spoken with Mr. Atherton and hopes they can work together to increase recycling across the board in the country.

“We are actively working on sustainable, long-term solutions for driving greater collection and recycling of our bottles and cans in Samoa and recognise the need to increase infrastructure and consumer education around recycling,” he said. 

“P.E.T. [or polyethylene terephthalate the components of plastic] bottles and aluminum cans have been available for purchase in the Samoan market for many years.

“We’d love to get all manufacturers, distributors and importers of PET and cans in Samoa working towards the same goal.”

He said there had been no drop in sales of Coca-Cola products since the switch and that scales had in fact increased. 

“Consumers are appreciating the greater choice we are now able to offer including more no sugar options,” he said.

“In addition, Samoans are appreciating the fact the bottles can be resealed to be enjoyed later as opposed to the crown seals on the glass bottles which meant the bottles couldn’t be resealed.”

Mr. Adams said that in order to focus on continuing to brew and grow its iconic Vailima beer brands, Samoa Breweries made the decision last year to import all of their non-alcoholic beverage portfolio.  

“This was a difficult decision with a number of contributing factors, including limitations on what we’re able to produce on the glass line in Samoa,” he said.

“Any change would have implications, including how much Vailima beer can be produced. We would also only be able to offer a very limited range of Coca-Cola, Fanta and Sprite, with far fewer no sugar options.”

He said the company fully understands that there are some concerns about replacing glass with plastic bottles and cans.

“All packaging has a potential environmental impact,” he said.

He stated that while glass is reusable, it is also heavy, which means transporting it produces more carbon and therefore potential climate change impacts. It also requires large amounts of water and chemicals to sanitise, Mr. Adams said. 

“We don’t like to see any of our packaging end up where it doesn’t belong – on beaches, waterways or landfill anywhere in the Pacific,” he said.  

“This is a major and urgent challenge and it’s why our company is determined to help make packaging waste a thing of the past. Our global goal is to help collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one we sell by 2030.

“We are actively working on sustainable, long-term solutions for driving greater collection and recycling of our bottles and cans in Samoa and recognise the need to increase infrastructure and consumer education around recycling. 

“For example, we’ve established a plastic bottle and can recycling programme in Samoa and we’re working to make sure programmes like this increase in scale and impact.

“Ultimately, we believe all packaging material has benefits, and, if managed properly, can be turned into valuable resources for reuse.”