Redefining plastic recyclability in Latin America with 100% post-consumer resin and a label-less bottle

By Juan Cazes, General Manager, Amcor Rigid Packaging Argentina

No one wants to be mislabeled, right? Or even labeled at all! Plastic containers are often mislabeled as unsustainable, but that’s completely wrong. When it comes to plastic packaging, the opportunity to design for recyclability is endless. One possible option is integrating the typical label within the design of the bottle itself. This innovative packaging means no paper, plastic lining or adhesives are used to attach them, removing potential barriers for recycling.

Leveraging Moldintec’s technology, Amcor helped Danone’s water brand Villavicencio launch a label-less bottle in Argentina, making it environmentally friendly. Removing these labels is another way to ensure bottles make it through the recycling stream and save resources – aligning with Amcor’s 2025 pledge for the planet to develop all our packaging to be recyclable, reusable or compostable.

Since the bottle is label-less, the information typically provided is engraved directly on the bottle itself. In addition, all virgin resin has been replaced with recycled resin, creating a bottle made 100% from recycled materials and reducing its carbon footprint by nearly 21% compared to the previous bottle. The fact that the container can maintain its clarity and strength with 100% recycled material demonstrates that Amcor Rigid Packaging has taken great leaps forward in the use of recycled content.

Like this new bottle, many of the containers that Amcor designs are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is easily recycled with mechanical or chemical recycling in most markets, even when that container uses a label. But removing the label provides a great opportunity to increase PET yields even further.

Like many other developments, Amcor worked in partnership with the brand and a blow mold supplier to ensure that the bottle could be easily captured and recycled within the region’s existing recycling infrastructure. The three worked together for two years on the Villavicencio bottle. Danone is a global food and beverage company dedicated to bringing health to as many people as possible and Moldintec, the independent blow mold supplier from Argentina.

As longtime partners, we are excited to achieve this milestone alongside Danone. We produced a bottle that fully represents the Villavicencio brand, keeping the same visual elements without its prominent label, using premium-grade materials and ensuring the safety of the package and consumer in the process – while making it safe for the planet.

The bottle is fully recyclable in Argentina’s recycling infrastructure, further supporting the circular economy. Thanks to PET, the containers can be recycled over and over – a great win for all involved and a historic milestone in the Latin American market!