Britvic-owned Aqua Libra launches London's first WasteShark

On 14 March ahead of Global Recycling Day on 18 March, Britvic-owned Aqua Libra will launch London’s first WasteShark in Middle Dock at Canary Wharf in partnership with the Canary Wharf Group. The WasteShark is a marine robot designed to be harmonious with the environment, which will clear plastic waste from the area’s bodies of water whilst collecting data to improve the surroundings.

Aqua Libra, best known for its range of infused sparkling waters, is committed to tackling plastic waste and is developing technology aimed at providing healthier and more sustainable ways to buy and consume beverages. Aqua Libra’s first technological breakthrough – the Flavour Tap - was launched last year. The tap, which serves still, sparkling and flavoured water, provides a sustainable option for workplaces, hospitality and retail, eliminating the need for single use plastic and supporting customers in their own sustainability commitments. The brand is delighted to be sharing its dedication to the environment with the launch of the Aqua Libra WasteShark in Canary Wharf to help rid waterways of plastic waste and make sure the plastic collected is recycled and reused.

The WasteShark can travel up to 5km through water and collect up to 500 kg of plastic waste (equivalent to 22,700 plastic bottles) per day, microplastics and other pollutants as it guides itself through the water. Created by RanMarine Technology, the WasteShark is designed to benefit the environment by ‘eating waste’ which is then recycled to live on again where possible, in addition to collecting data about the quality of water it roams. It produces no carbon, noise or light pollution as it travels, and poses no threat to wildlife. Aqua Libra is proud to be partnering with Canary Wharf Group to spearhead the arrival of the WasteShark to London.

The commitment by Aqua Libra and Canary Wharf Group to tackle plastic waste through the launch of the WasteShark follows the arrival of Aqua Libra’s Flavour Tap in the area’s M&S retail store in Jubilee Place and filtered water system in Hawksmoor Wood Wharf. The Aqua Libra Flavour Tap supports the brand’s guarantee for consistently pure tasting water, sourced as close to where it’s consumed as possible, and eliminates the need for 99% of all packaging use. It offers a new solution within the healthy hydration market, providing consumers with a sustainable and tasty drink option.

Steve Potts, Managing Director, Britvic Beyond the Bottle says, ‘Ensuring packaging never becomes waste is a core part of our vision, and we are excited to be bringing the brilliantly innovative WasteShark technology to London in partnership with the team at Canary Wharf Group to help tackle plastic pollution in this revolutionary way.

At Aqua Libra, we are working with brilliant minds to invent new ways to consume delicious drinks without the need for plastic bottles and we’re excited about the development of our Flavour Tap. We have big ambitions, but we can’t do it alone. That’s why we’re partnering with Canary Wharf Group and WasteShark, as well as being proud partners of the Blue Earth Summit, a purpose-led movement towards positive change for our world. We hope that at this year’s Blue Earth Summit event, we can inspire more businesses to take the step towards helping our environment with the results from the WasteShark.’

Sophie Goddard, Director of Sustainability, Canary Wharf Group says, ‘At the Canary Wharf Group we aim to transform urban spaces into extraordinary environments which work for nature as well as people. As part of this we are so pleased to be launching the WasteShark in partnership with Aqua Libra. This innovative marine technology will help us to tackle waste and maintain the environment.’