Pittsburgh is the hub of economic activity for Western Pennsylvania. The abundance of natural resources offers opportunities for jobs, manufacturing and growth. But with these opportunities comes the obligation to protect and preserve our environment for future generations.

Beverage companies are part of the story of economic growth and the jobs that come with it. We are an industry that takes extraordinary steps to be part of the solution, whether it’s providing good-paying jobs across the commonwealth, helping meet a community need or doing our part to protect the environment. We understand and share the frustration consumers feel when they see our bottles in rivers, parks or on trails. We are eager to build a more sustainable future and ensure our bottles do not end up in places where they do not belong.

On Oct. 29, the American Beverage Association brought together an unprecedented coalition with the shared goal of building a circular economy for plastic bottles. Together, the Coca-Cola Co., Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo joined environmental and sustainability leaders World Wildlife Fund, The Recycling Partnership and Closed Loop Partners to launch the Every Bottle Back initiative.

The goal of Every Bottle Back is simple: Decrease the use of new plastic by increasing the collection of plastic bottles so they can be remade into new bottles. This means reducing the need for new plastic and fewer bottles that could end up as litter in the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers.

We will achieve this goal by improving community recycling, measuring and tracking our progress in using less new plastic, and increasing consumer awareness surrounding our recyclable bottles.

What many people don’t know is that beverage makers across the country are already designing their bottles and caps to be 100% recyclable. We use versatile plastic known as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to make our bottles and caps. PET is in high demand by consumer manufacturers across the state, nation and globe. This valuable plastic should end up in new bottles — not in our lakes, oceans or rivers.

Of course, selecting the right plastic is only part of the equation. We need to get our bottles back to help reduce the amount of new plastic needed to bring beverages to the market. That is where our initiative opens a new chapter in the journey toward a circular economy.

Under Every Bottle Back, we are doubling down on the beverage industry’s long-standing commitments to sustainability and directing the equivalent of $400 million to The Recycling Partnership and Closed Loop Fund. A new $100 million industry fund will be matched three-to-one by grants and investors. These investments will go toward strengthening recycling infrastructure, modernizing technology, boosting collection rates and providing greater access to recycling collection at home.

But we also need to make it easier for consumers. As part of the initiative, The Coca-Cola Co., Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo will place uniform labels on packages to inform consumers that our plastic bottles are 100% recyclable, and when we get them back, they can be remade into new bottles.

Ultimately for this initiative to have an impact, it must demonstrate measurable results. That’s why Every Bottle Back is grounded by the World Wildlife Fund’s ReSource: Plastic program, which works with businesses to accurately measure and maximize efforts to reduce plastic in the environment. The ReSource: Plastic program will ensure the program is making a real difference to protect the environment.

The Pennsylvania Beverage Association is eager to work alongside America’s leading beverage companies and its key environmental and sustainability partners on this initiative. It is an important step toward the creation of a truly circular economy and ensuring our plastic bottles end up where they belong — back on the shelf.

Pittsburgh has played a critical role as an industrial center for our country. Every Bottle Back, through its programs, educational tools and services, will achieve a more sustainable future so that our Steel City remains mighty, beautiful and welcoming.

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