Coca-Cola Australia and Coca-Cola Amatil have today announced that all Coca-Cola soft drink brands (600ml and below) and all water brands (600ml and below) in Australia are now being produced in 100% recycled plastic bottles. This includes Coca-Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Mount Franklin and Pump.
This follows the announcement earlier in the year that Coca-Cola Amatil will make 7 out of 10 plastic bottles from 100% recycled plastic by the end of 2019. Coca-Cola’s juice and dairy brands are on track to transition and complete the goal before the end of the year.
Committed to helping close the recycling loop, Coca-Cola Australia has also ramped up its efforts to promote recycling to all Australians, announcing its sponsorship of Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week, now in its 24th year.
Russell Mahoney, Director of Sustainability at Coca-Cola Australia said; “The plastic waste crisis is one of the most pressing issues of our time - one that we’re committed to help solve.
“We know actions speak louder than words, which is why together with Coca-Cola Amatil we have made a landmark investment in recycled plastic in Australia to help support a viable domestic recycling economy.
“The other important piece of the puzzle is supporting initiatives that encourage Australians to recycle, which is why we’re proud to be working closely with Planet Ark as the major sponsor of National Recycling Week.”
As Australia’s biggest beverage company, Coca-Cola’s move to recycled plastic will significantly reduce the environmental impact of its operations; ensuring plastic from existing bottles is repurposed, while decreasing demand for new plastic.
Peter West, Managing Director of Australian Beverages at Coca-Cola Amatil, said: “Earlier this year we took our strongest step forward in reducing packaging waste by making recycled plastic the norm in 7 out of 10 products in our portfolio.
“Today we are well on track to meet that target and become a market leader in innovation as the first country in the world where all Coca-Cola bottles 600ml and under are made from recycled plastic.
“We’re meeting our target to bring our total use of recycled plastic to 16,000 tonnes this year,” Mr West said.
Ryan Collins, Head of Sustainability Resource Programs at Planet Ark and spokesperson for National Recycling Week said, “By using more recycled plastic and encouraging Australians to recycle, Coca-Cola is leading the way and taking responsibility for the end of life of its products. We know this will help stimulate a viable local recycling industry, enabling highly valuable material like PET plastic to be meaningfully repurposed.
“Just like Planet Ark, Coca-Cola does not want to see valuable resources go to waste. It’s a perfect match for National Recycling Week, and we’re thrilled to be working together for the first time this year,” Mr Collins said.
To learn more about Coca-Cola’s sustainable packaging goals and initiatives, visit https://www.coca-colacompany.com/au/responsible-business/sustainability
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About Coca-Cola South Pacific (Coca-Cola Australia): The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries. Our portfolio in Australia includes Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola No Sugar, Fanta, Sprite, Powerade and others. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. Together with our bottling partner we have made a commitment to reduce sugar across our portfolio by 10% by 2020, as well an industry-wide pledge to reduce sugar across the industry by 20% by 2025. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, The Coca-Cola Company employs more than 700,000 people, bringing economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Coca-Cola Amatil (Aust) Pty Ltd is authorised to prepare, package, distribute and sell the beverage brands of The Coca-Cola Company in Australia. Coca-Cola South Pacific Pty Ltd is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company and provides marketing, technical and quality services to The Coca-Cola Company in Australia. Learn more at www.coca-colajourney.com.au and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About Coca-Cola Amatil: Coca-Cola Amatil is one of the largest bottlers and distributors of ready-to-drink non-alcohol and alcohol beverages, coffee and ready-to-eat food snacks in the Asia Pacific region. Coca-Cola Amatil is also the authorised bottler and distributor of The Coca-Cola Company’s beverage brands in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Samoa. Coca-Cola Amatil directly employs around 12,000 people and indirectly creates thousands more jobs across the supply chain, partnering with key suppliers to bottle, package, sell and distribute its products. With access to more than 270 million potential consumers through more than 950,000 active customers Coca-Cola Amatil is committed to leading through innovation and building a sustainable future and delivering long-term value to shareholders. Information in this document is accurate as of the date of this statement.
About National Recycling Week: In November 1996, Planet Ark founded National Recycling Week to bring a national focus to the environmental benefits of recycling. Now in its 24th year, this established and highly regarded annual campaign continues to educate and stimulate behaviour change, by promoting kerbside, industrial and community recycling initiatives. It aims to give people the tools to minimise waste and manage material resources responsibly at home, work and school. Learn more at https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/nationalrecyclingweek/about