Coca-Cola targets plastic waste with vow to make bottles 50% recycled

19th January 2018 | Recycling

Coca-Cola says its bottles will contain an average of 50% recycled content by 2030, in a bid to help make plastic waste “a thing of the past”. The move comes as the drinks giant acknowledged it has a responsibility to “help solve” global packaging waste.

It follows a pledge by water brand Evian this week to make all its bottles from 100% recycled plastic by 2025.

Coca-Cola also said it aims to collect one bottle or can for every one it sells, in an attempt to recycle the equivalent of 100% of its packaging by 2030 to help tackle litter and marine debris. But the plans have been heavily criticised by environmental group, Greenpeace, which said they have “fallen flat” as the goal fails to address the “urgency of ocean plastic pollution.”

Plastic waste

The group is calling on the beverage manufacturer to fund alternatives to single-use plastics, of which it produces 100 billion bottles each year. James Quincey, president and chief executive of The Coca-Cola Company, said, “The world has a packaging problem – and, like all companies, we have a responsibility to help solve it. Bottles and cans shouldn’t harm our planet and a litter-free world is possible.

He added, “Companies like our must be leaders. Consumers around the world care for our planet, and they want and expect companies to take action. That’s exactly what we’re going to do and we invite others to join us on the critical journey.”

The announcement is part of Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste initiative, part of which aims to make 100% of its packaging recyclable. The firm said it will work with the World Wildlife Fund and environmental groups to increase its recycling efforts.

Greenpeace welcomes the firm’s plans to increase recycled content in its bottles from the current 7%.

More information available on the website below

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2018/01/19/coca-cola-targets-plastic-waste-with-vow-to-make-bottles-50-recycled/