Coca-Cola India has made a significant stride in its sustainability journey by unveiling an environmentally responsible initiative. The company has introduced fully recycled PET bottles for its flagship Coca-Cola brand, a move set to have a positive impact on both the environment and the Indian consumer market.
This groundbreaking initiative entails the availability of fully recycled PET bottles in pack sizes of 250 ml and 750 ml, to be distributed across various markets in the country. Coca-Cola India’s decision aligns with its global commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations.
These newly launched recycled PET bottles are crafted using food-grade recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), meeting the stringent standards approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for food-grade recycled materials. By repurposing recycled PET into fresh bottles, Coca-Cola aims to substantially decrease its reliance on virgin plastic for bottle production, thus taking a significant step towards a more sustainable future.
The production of these eco-friendly bottles is a collaborative effort between Coca-Cola India and its bottling partners, Moon Beverages Ltd. and SLMG Beverages Ltd. This partnership underscores Coca-Cola’s unwavering commitment to sustainability practices across its supply chain, ensuring that environmental considerations are seamlessly integrated into every aspect of the production process.
Coca-Cola’s sustainability endeavors extend far beyond the borders of India. Globally, the company already offers 100% recycled PET bottles in over 40 markets, aligning with its broader goal to have bottles made with 50% recycled material by 2030. This initiative is part of the company’s overarching sustainable packaging platform, which also includes a pledge to collect and recycle the equivalent of one bottle or can for every one sold worldwide by 2030. Additionally, Coca-Cola has set an ambitious target to make 100% of its packaging recyclable by 2025.
It is noteworthy that the Food Safety Authority of India has granted approval for the use of recycled PET in food packaging, ensuring that these sustainable bottles meet all necessary safety standards.
Coca-Cola’s commitment to sustainability transcends borders. In a pioneering move in December 2022, Coca-Cola Bangladesh became the first market in Southwest Asia (SWA) to introduce 100% rPET bottles, demonstrating the company’s dedication to advancing sustainability throughout the SWA region.
In India, Coca-Cola is not only expanding its consumer base through affordable products and increased retail presence but also recognizing the importance of minimizing its environmental impact as its beverage consumption continues to rise across various brands.