Britvic targets marine waste with Aqua Libra-branded ‘WasteShark’ robot

UK-based soft drinks group Britvic has partnered its Aqua Libra sparkling water brand with autonomous surface vessel developer RanMarine Technology for an environmental activation in London.

“We are working to invent new ways to consume drinks without the need for plastic bottles”

An Aqua Libra-branded “marine robot” will take to the waters around Canary Wharf in the east of the city, to collect plastic waste from the waterways around the business district. Designed to coincide with ‘Global Recycling Day’ on 18 March, the emissions-free unit can collect up to 500kg of waste, which is the equivalent of 22,700 plastic bottles, according to Britvic.

“We are working to invent new ways to consume drinks without the need for plastic bottles”, said Britvic’s ‘beyond the bottle’ MD, Steve Potts. “We have big ambitions, but we can’t do it alone. That’s why we’re partnering with Canary Wharf Group and WasteShark.”