Coca-Cola: Zero Waste from Packaging

On the road to zero waste and net zero greenhouse gas emissions, Coca-Cola's Euro-Pacific Partners (CCEP) is advocating for a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) across the UK that will help deliver the best results for businesses, consumers and the environment.

CCEP hopes to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 and has set a medium-term goal of reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions across its entire value chain by 30 percent over a decade. Zero waste is also part of its ambition. For the beverage giant involved in the marketing, production and distribution of products such as Coca-Cola, Capri-Sun and Monster Energy, this is no easy task.

Julian Hunt, vice president of public affairs, communication and sustainability at CCEP (UK, Norway and Sweden), said: "Starting with our packaging, when it comes to zero waste, we are committed to minimizing the impact of packaging. ”

100% recycling circular economy

CCEP further outlines the four pillars of its 100% rPET packaging strategy.

Not only will the company remove unnecessary plastic from packaging, but it will also reduce virgin plastic to ensure that all plastics used are 100% recyclable. Innovative, fillable and dispensable solutions are also key. Hunt explained that this will ensure that CCEP packaging does not end up being junk.

"We have been advocating for the introduction of DRS because, in addition to high recycling rates, we know these programs will ensure that packaging bottles are collected and recycled, giving them more opportunities to become new bottles."

CCEP is making progress, but acknowledges that more needs to be done. In 2020, CCEP recycled 59% of its packaging. It needs to be increased to 100% by 2025. Similarly, in 2020, 51.5% of CCEP's plastic packaging will be rPETs, which also needs to reach 100% in the next four years. "The benefits are clear, with the carbon footprint of 100% rPET estimated to be about 70% lower than using virgin fossil plastics."

Creating a low-carbon, zero-waste circular economy for PET relies on industry collaboration in four areas: "step-by-step change" in packaging recycling, ensuring bottles are collected and re-turned into bottles, supporting recycling capacity, and consumer engagement.

Hunt stressed that this last point is crucial. What consumers need to accept is that bottles made with high recycled materials are often "slightly darker in color" than bottles made of virgin fossil plastic.

DRS incentive mechanism

DrS as an incentive mechanism to support recycling, under the DRS program, consumers need to pay an additional deposit when purchasing disposable packaged beverages. The deposit will be honored when the consumer returns the empty package to the designated location. In the UK, the first national DRS was passed by the Scottish Parliament in May 2020. The program is expected to begin implementation in July 2022, and Hunt said he hopes other countries will follow suit. "The Government of England and Wales is also consulting on DRS and ways to expand producer responsibility."

Coca-Cola said DRS will encourage more people to recycle and ensure that more bottles are collected in a clean, efficient way so they can be remade into new bottles in a repetitive cycle.

Sources of information:

https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2021/09/30/Coca-Cola-talks-deposit-recycling-schemes-and-plastic-quality-We-need-a-step-change-for-packaging-collection