Coca-Cola, in collaboration with its bottling partner Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC), is introducing 100% recycled plastic bottles across its soft drinks’ portfolio in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
This “key sustainability milestone” follows the beverage giant’s earlier launch of 100% rPET bottles in India and the Philippines. The move is also part of a series of product changes to accommodate the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in early 2024 in the Republic of Ireland.
“The shift to using 100% recycled plastic in our bottles will help eliminate 7,100 tons of virgin plastic from circulation annually and, in conjunction with the introduction of a DRS in Ireland early next year, will also support our move toward ensuring all of our bottles are used, recovered, recycled and reused, again and again,” says Davide Franzetti, general manager at Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland.
“As the bottling partner for The Coca-Cola Company, we have accelerated the move to sustainable packaging, ensuring that Ireland remains one step ahead of the global targets by incorporating more recycled material in our packaging.”
Sustainability measures
Coca-Cola in Ireland and Northern Ireland has been implementing measures to reduce its packaging footprint and enhance collection systems, creating a circular economy for plastic bottles and cans.
The latest announcement builds upon the €13 million (US$13.7 million) investment in the state-of-the-art Coca-Cola HBC plant at Knockmore Hill, Lisburn, unveiled in 2021, along with a recent €1 million (US$1.06 million) investment to expedite the introduction of further packaging innovations, including the shift to 100% recycled plastic.
Coca-Cola is also raising awareness about the importance of packaging circularity and increasing recycling rates with a new green ribbon design displayed prominently on its packaging with a recycling message: “I’m a bottle made from 100% recycled plastic*, recycle me again.”
Agnes Filippi, country manager of Coca-Cola Ireland, emphasizes: “As the biggest beverage brand on the island, we have a clear responsibility and opportunity to contribute to a circular economy — our actions make a big difference.”
“We are proud to move to 100% recycled plastic across our soft drinks range. Today marks an important milestone on our sustainability journey here in Ireland and Northern Ireland, realizing our ambition of a World Without Waste.”
Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste initiative strives to create more sustainable packaging and collect and recycle the equivalent of a can or bottle for each one it sells by 2030.
Coca-Cola Ireland reports that it has removed 442 tonnes of shrink plastic annually by introducing KeelClip and cardboard packaging for Coca-Cola multipack cans and the recent extension of this packaging innovation to the Schweppes can range.
Through The Coca-Cola Foundation, the business has also collaborated with city councils to boost the collection of plastic bottles and cans in public places. The #CircleCity campaign, in partnership with environmental NGO Hubub, involves the placement of bright yellow bins specially designed for plastic bottles and cans at city center locations, changing how consumers segregate their waste when on-the-go.
“At Coca-Cola Ireland, we will continue to challenge ourselves to reduce our packaging footprint and work with Irish consumers, government and local authorities to create a true circular economy for our plastic bottles and cans,” says Filippi.
