Snapple Facts…

Last year, Snapple released a new plastic bottle for their individually packaged beverages. They informed questioning critics that they would be slowly phasing out their classic glass bottles. Since then consumers have been outraged criticizing the flavor and cheapness of the company. Many consumers stated that they bought Snapple specifically because it wasn’t plastic, and that they didn’t want to add to the huge plastic patch in the ocean.

Since the lash back on Snapple’s big announcement, the company has taken down its posts and has not commented officially on its choice to switch from glass to plastic.

However, on their website they comment on the environmental choices the company has made. This is what they’ve claimed:

1. Snapple is pro-environment because it supports two environmental organizations.

2. Plastic weighs less and therefore allows the company to ship more at a time, reducing the number of boat trips.

3. Plastic is recycled more often than glass.

Through their website Snapple claims that by 2019, they will have donated $1.9 million to fund the organization Keep America Beautiful. This organization not only emphasizes on the preservation and cleaning of local communities, but it also proclaims that contributions are tax deductible.

So how does Snapple use this to their advantage?

In their 2015 quarter Snapple made $322 million dollars, shown by their financial news. In other words, this donation would only be .06% of their makings, and would be benefitting their taxes.

With less than 1% of their making benefitting the environment, Snapple’s claim of support seems like an appeal to the environmentally conscious, rather than a serious concern.

So what can Snapple do for the environment?

“Reduce, reuse, recycle” a well-known phrase by all. Many consumers point to Snapple’s reduction of fossil fuels to ship their new bottles. Plastic weighing less than glass allows the company to ship more at a time, reducing the amount of trips the bottles take.

What’s at stake?

Many consumers say it’s the flavor. Review after review consumers claim that the new bottle has changed the flavor of the entire drink. In many cases, consumers have boycotted the drink, without even thinking about the environment.

Compared to glass bottles, plastic bottles are petroleum based and leech chemicals into the beverage. When answering consumers about this flavor change Snapple replied, “Hopefully any flavor difference is alleviated with our new 16 oz. plastic bottles that were specially designed for the same experience as the glass.”

But the experience is not the same. The process to which a Snapple is produced has changed. Factories can now create their plastic bottles on site rather than shipping them in and what happens afterwards is not as predicted.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), plastic is recycled about 9.5% of the time. On the other hand, glass is recycled about 26% of the time. Despite the differences in recycle rates the ways in which these two materials differ as well.

Because glass is not petroleum based, it can be washed, sterilized, and reused. However, when plastic is recycled it often becomes something else like the plastic on the bottom of a carpet, rather than a new bottle.

So does this means Snapple lied to us?

Not exactly. Like their contribution to environmental organizations there is some truth in Snapple’s claims. They do contribute to environmental agencies, although only a small portion of their profits is contributed. Furthermore, although plastic is not recycled more often than glass, their plastic type Polyethylene Terephthalate, is the most recycled plastic .

So Snapple exaggerates, but there are plenty of places to fact check. With environmental issues becoming hot topics, consumers should think before they buy, and vote with their money.