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Coca-Cola targets 25% refillable/returnable bottles by 2030

Coca-Cola targets 25% refillable/returnable bottles by 2030

Against the back of growing concerns on PET single-use bottle litter, beverage maker Coca-Cola says that at least 25% of its beverages sold globally across its portfolio will be sold in refillable or returnable packaging by 2030, scaling up initiatives such as its ‘universal bottle’.

The company which was the “world's worst plastic polluter for the fourth year in a row in 2021”, according to the global coalition Break Free From Plastic's annual report released in October, says the returnable glass bottles and refillable PET currently represent more than 50% of its product sales in more than 20 markets, and more than 25% of sales in another 20 markets. The beverage company stated that its new target will also require significant investment, particularly in markets with limited refillable/returnable infrastructure.

Packaging includes containers that can be refilled with original product by companies or consumers, such as refillable fountain drink containers and glass and plastic bottles that are refillable or returnable, it adds in reference to Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) that says converting 20% of global plastic packaging into reuse models is a US$10 billion business opportunity that benefits customers and represents a crucial element in the quest to eliminate plastic waste and pollution.

In 2020, 16% of the company's packaging was reusable. That year, 90% of its refillable glass and plastic containers were collected, it said.

Use of refillables is growing in several markets, outperforming non-refillables in Germany and parts of Latin America, where reusable bottles represented 27% of transactions in 2020. Markets around the world have increased their focus on refillable packaging in recent years through initiatives that include:

  • Expanding the rollout of the “Universal Bottle” that was first introduced in 2018 by Coca-Cola Brazil and is now used in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala and Panama. This innovative solution drives efficiency of collection, cleaning and filling by offering multiple sparkling and still brands in the same reusable bottle with a single colour, shape and size. EMF recognized the Universal Bottle as a leading practice on reuse.

  • Expanding the rollout of refillable 2-l and 1.5-l PET (RefPET) plastic bottles—which can be cleaned, refilled and reused before being recycled and made into new PET bottles—in South Africa.

  • Collaborating with Carrefour to pilot a circular shopping system called Loop in France. Consumers can order a variety of products, including Coca-Cola beverages, delivered to their home in customized packaging that is collected, cleaned, refilled and reused or recycled.

  • Partnering with Burger King and TerraCycle in the US for a pilot program in select cities to reduce single-use packaging waste by offering reusable food containers and beverage cups.

  • Introducing reusable cups with microchip technology for use with Coca-Cola Freestyle machines for use at theme parks, and on university campuses and cruise ships.

“Reusable packaging is among the most effective ways to reduce waste, use fewer resources and lower our carbon footprint in support of a circular economy,” said Ben Jordan, Senior Director, Packaging and Climate of The Coca-Cola Company. “We will continue to highlight markets that are leading the way with reusable packaging best practices, and to support other markets as they increase their use of reusable packaging,” Jordan said, adding that each market will approach the goal in a different way.

(IMA)

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