(CNW Group/The Coca‑Cola Company)
The Coca-Cola company is taking a big step into environmentalism. According to the beverages giant, by early next year, all of its 500ml sparkling beverages in Canada will be made of completely recycled plastic – a first for the company in this country. This, of course, includes fan-favourites such as Coca-Cola, Sprite and Fanta.
“No virgin PET plastic will be used,” said Kurt Ritter, vice president and general manager of sustainability at Coca-Cola North America. “We hope that [this] will increase the amount of high-quality, food-grade, recycled plastic available in Canada and, ultimately, enable us to offer more of our brands in this sustainable format.”
There’s no debate that society is producing too much plastic. On average the world generates 430 million tonnes of it per year. And when it comes to our oceans, there is roughly 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste, with much more on the way. According to the United Nations, plastic pollution will most likely triple by 2060 if we don’t do anything to stop it. More and more brands are making the pledge to care for the environment and future.
The Coca-Cola company’s move is in line with its sustainability commitments and participation in the circular economy. Its World Without Waste global initiative was launched as a way to guarantee the brand is doing what it can towards creating a waste-free future by being a truly sustainable business. The company, which operates in about 200 markets, established a three-pronged action plan. Firstly, turn packaging 100% recyclable on a global scale by 2025, use 50% recycled materials in packaging and collect and recycle one bottle for one sold by 2030.
The brand is anticipating saving 7.6 million pounds of new plastic in 2024, decreasing about 7,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually (almost 1,500 cars worth off the road for one year).
The branding for its latest initiative goes a little further and will feature a “Recycle Me Again” message to further educate and encourage consumers to do the right thing. “We’re on a journey to be the leading beverage partner in Canada,” said Todd Parsons, CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling. “One of the ways we’re doing that is by earning our social license to operate by driving a circular economy for our packaging.” The 100% recycled bottles will be produced in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia’s Coca-Cola Bottling plants.
According to ResearchAndMarkets.com, a leading source for international market research reports and data, the global post-consumer recycled plastics market is primed for meaningful growth, with projections of up to $92.6 billion USD by 2028. And while the market surge is a testament to increasing global awareness of environmental issues, other elements like economic growth, rapid urbanization and changes in consumer lifestyles are also contributors.
