[GRRN] Plastic Beer Bottles-fyi

RecycleWorlds (anderson@msn.fullfeed.com)
Mon, 13 Sep 1999 11:10:38 -0500


According to 9/10 Plastics News ("Miller mulls future of PET beer bottles
by Frank Esposito): "Miller Brewing Co. will decide on a direction for its
PET beer bottle
program by the end of October... Miller, which ranks as the
second-largest
brewer in the United States, began test-marketing PET bottles
in retail locations in 10 markets late last year. The company
added bar sales in five states earlier this year.
Retail markets targeted were Charlotte, N.C.; Richmond and
Norfolk, Va.; Miami; Dallas/Fort Worth; San Antonio; Los
Angeles; Phoenix/Tucson; Raleigh, N.C.; Cleveland; and Las
Vegas. Bar sales were added in Delaware, New Jersey,
Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maryland.
Plastic-bottled beer also has been sold at sports and music
venues in those markets and others across the country.

"'We expect to make a decision as to if we´ll go beyond these
test markets, or what our next step will be,' said Miller
spokesman Scott Bussen.
Miller´s decision will be based on sales and response from
consumers and retailers, Bussen said.

"...Anheuser-Busch Cos. suspended testing of its own PET beer
bottle because
of what the firm described as 'limited consumer interest.'
Anheuser-Busch launched retail tests in convenience stores
in Dallas and Phoenix in March. 'We have no specific plans
to reintroduce plastic bottles at
this time,' said Charles Pool, environmental and consumer
affairs director at Anheuser-Busch. 'But that´s not to say
we´re not still looking at environmental issues that could
affect that program or that (plastic bottling) is something
that
we´re not inclined to do.'
In Dallas and Phoenix, plastic bottles of Budweiser and Bud
Light beer were sold next to their glass and can counterparts,
but were priced about 30 percent higher. Miller´s plastic
alternatives are priced at close to the same levels as its
standard glass and can products.
Miller said in April that demand for its plastic bottles was
more than the company could accommodate.

To date, Miller has not used any post-consumer PET in its
plastic bottles, but Bussen said the company remains
committed to using the material. Lab testing has given Miller
hope that it can one day exceed 20 percent post-consumer
content in its bottles."

Peter
____________________________________
Peter Anderson
RecycleWorlds Consulting
4513 Vernon Blvd. Ste. 15
Madison, WI 53705-4964
Phone:(608) 231-1100/Fax: (608) 233-0011
E-mail:recycle@msn.fullfeed.com

____________________________________
Peter Anderson
RecycleWorlds Consulting
4513 Vernon Blvd. Ste. 15
Madison, WI 53705-4964
Phone:(608) 231-1100/Fax: (608) 233-0011
E-mail:recycle@msn.fullfeed.com