The Coca-Cola plastic waste solution: Design, Collect, and Partner

In recent years, there has been growing attention to the responsibility of major corporations in addressing plastic pollution. One corporation that has implemented a comprehensive strategy to reduce plastic waste is Coca-Cola Philippines. This article explores the company’s significant efforts to improve design and enhance post-consumer bottle collection for recycling.

A glimpse into Coca-Cola’s plastic waste reduction strategy

To help address the plastic waste problem, Coca-Cola Philippines is committed to driving change through the circular economy, aligned with its global sustainability platform, “World Without Waste”. It is centered on three fundamental goals:

Design – making all of its primary packaging recyclable by 2025 and using at least 50% recycled materials in its packaging by 2030;

Collect – collecting and recycling a bottle or can equivalent to each one it sells by 2030; and

Partner – bringing people together to support a healthy, debris-free environment.

This globally recognized brand understands the responsibility that comes with its reach. By putting sustainability at the forefront of its business strategy, Coca-Cola has taken a significant step towards addressing the plastic pollution crisis.

Investment in sustainable packaging

One of Coca-Cola’s primary strategy to address plastic pollution involves a significant investment in sustainable packaging solutions. The company is actively working to achieve full recyclability of its packaging by 2025. This commitment extends beyond their iconic PET bottles to encompass other packaging formats such as glass and aluminum. By promoting the use of materials that are easier to recycle, the company aims to reduce the amount of virgin plastic used.

In the Philippines, Coca-Cola is the first beverage company to launch bottles made from 100% recycled PET, excluding caps and labels. As of 2023, 100% rPET packaging has been rolled out to three brands: Coca-Cola Original 190mL, Sprite 500mL, and Wilkins Pure 500mL.

Collect and recycle initiatives

Coca-Cola believes in using the power of its brands to inspire consumers to make a difference. To this end, the company has launched various collection and recycling initiatives. These programs encourage consumers to return empty bottles, which are recycled or repurposed into new products. By actively engaging consumers in recycling through its “May Ikabobote Pa” campaign, Coca-Cola fosters a culture of mindful consumption and effective waste management for its consumers. The company also organizes on-ground recycling activations through its “Tapon to Ipon” project. All these efforts intend to educate, engage, and inspire action towards collection and recycling.

Investing in the circular economy

Coca-Cola’s dedication to managing plastic waste goes beyond its immediate operations. The company is actively investing in building a circular economy for plastics. This involves collaborating with stakeholders across the value chain to ensure that plastic materials are efficiently recovered, recycled, and reused efficiently.

Coca-Cola Philippines also aims to transform collected bottles into new bottles at PETValue, the country’s first bottle-to-bottle recycling facility, established through a joint venture between Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines and Indorama Ventures.

Community engagement and education

Plastic waste reduction requires corporate responsibility and community engagement. Coca-Cola is actively involved in educating communities about responsible waste disposal and recycling. The company partners with local organizations to raise awareness and facilitate recycling programs. Since 2018, the company has been working with more than 60 like-minded organizations such as Plastic Bank.

Plastic Bank is revealing the value of plastic waste to help end poverty¹. Our collection communities gather discarded plastic from the environment and exchange it for additional income and social benefits. Every exchange is recorded through the PlasticBank app, backed by our proprietary blockchain-secured platform that enables traceable collection, secure income, and verified reporting. Gathered plastic is made available for recycling and reuse in products and packaging. Together, we are fostering a circular economy.

A positive way forward

Coca-Cola acknowledges that there is much work to be done and remains committed to reducing its plastic footprint. The company is dedicated to positively mitigating plastic pollution and promoting a more sustainable future. Another example of its commitment is a trial conducted by Sprite in the UK, where they temporarily removed labels from their bottles to simplify the recycling process. This initiative aims to reduce packaging waste by eliminating the need to separate labels during recycling. By using clear, 100% recycled plastic bottles with attached caps and embossed logos, Sprite is making its packaging environmentally friendly.

Sprite’s trial of label-less bottles demonstrates its commitment to finding innovative solutions to minimize their environmental footprint. Additionally, Sprite’s sustainability efforts include using recycled plastic for their bottles, removing green colour from plastic bottles, and investing in new designs to reduce packaging.

Sprite aims to contribute to a world without waste through initiatives like these by focusing on innovations, lightweight, and collecting and recycling bottles. Consumers can participate in this groundbreaking initiative by visiting select Tesco Express Stores in Brighton, Bristol, London, or Manchester until trials last. Look for Sprite and Sprite Zero bottles with coloured caps—green for Sprite and transparent with a black tint for Sprite Zero—and experience the same great taste with a sustainable twist.

Sprite’s label-less bottle trial represents a significant step in moving towards sustainable packaging practices. By simplifying recycling and reducing packaging waste, Sprite demonstrates its commitment to environmental responsibility and paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Conclusion: An ongoing commitment

While the beverage industry, like many others, has faced scrutiny regarding plastic pollution, Coca-Cola’s efforts in reducing in plastic waste is commendable.

As consumers become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of their choices², corporations like Coca-Cola play a pivotal role in setting positive examples and driving change. The journey extends beyond Coca-Cola products; it’s a journey shared by all who strive to prevent plastic waste from piling up in landfills and ending up in places where it should not be, such as the ocean.

In the global fight against plastic pollution, innovative initiatives like the Odyssey undertaken by a French vessel illustrate the proactive steps being taken worldwide. As The Brussels Times reported, this mission underscores the importance of international cooperation and dedication in addressing the pervasive issue of oceanic plastic pollution³.

Bold steps, innovative solutions, and commitment to collaboration are paving the way for a more sustainable future.

If you’re looking to make an affordable yet scalable environmental and social impact, explore how stopping plastic pollution and helping end poverty with Plastic Bank can grow your business.

Want to learn more about plastic pollution solutions? Check out these articles:
Top 5 waste management challenges in the Philippines and how to solve them
How EPR Law Contributes to the Economy?

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1. “Focuses on alleviating poverty by making plastic waste a currency,” IBM Systems. September 12, 2017, https://mediacenter.ibm.com/media/Plastic+BankA+Enabling+plastic+recycling+and+financial+inclusion+with+IBM+Blockchain/1_02gudqnh 
2. Emmert, Amy. “half of all global consumers surveyed say they’ve become even more eco-friendly.” https://www.strategy-business.com/article/The-rise-of-the-eco-friendly-consumer
3. The Brussels Times, “French vessel embarks on odyssey against plastic pollution of the oceans,” The Brussels Times, Saturday, 11 June 2022, https://www.brusselstimes.com/news/236945/french-vessel-embarks-on-odyssey-against-plastic-pollution-of-the-oceans/