Coca‑Cola İçecek Pakistan Launches Bottles Made from 100% Recycled Plastic
[Lahore, 16th December 2022]: In a collaboration, Coca‑Cola Beverages Pakistan Ltd (CCI Pakistan) and The Coca‑Cola Company have launched PET bottles made from 100% recycled plastic, a new packaging innovation for Coca‑Cola in Pakistan.
Initially launched in Sindh, where 2.25-liter Coca‑Cola bottles will be made using food-grade recycled plastic (rPET), the initiative will be rolled out in other provinces as well.
Working closely with Pakistani provincial food authorities, Coca‑Cola İçecek Pakistan has created a cycle through which used plastic bottles are collected for subjecting into a unit operation. This process ensures thorough cleaning and washing of the plastic while breaking them into small pallets. The pellets are eventually converted into food-grade packaging for Coca‑Cola Pakistan
Earlier in 2022, CCI announced its “Sustainability Pledge for 2030”. Under the pledge, CCI, as a group, is taking action to use at least 50 percent recycled plastics in all its packaging. The pledge also aims to evaluate and initiate multiple projects falling under 6 categories including Packaging, Water Stewardship, Climate Change, Human Rights, Diversity and Inclusion, and Community.
Speaking about this achievement, Mr. Ahmet Kursad Ertin, GM – CCI Pakistan, said, “Sustainability is a fundamental and indispensable aspect of our business. It is embedded in our vision and goals. We integrate sustainability principles into all our operations. The use of RPET packaging is a step towards honoring our Packaging related commitment. We are thrilled to incorporate 100% rPET packaging for our products and will continue to take responsibility in line with CCI’s Sustainability Pledge for 2030.”
As part of its World Without Waste vision, the Coca‑Cola Company has committed to using 50% recycled material in its packaging by 2030. Currently, the company offers 100% rPET bottles in more than 25 markets.
Fahad Ashraf, Vice President of the Coca‑Cola Company said, “Through this rollout starting in Karachi, Coca‑Cola aims to create a looping, circular economy, where all bottles are made from recycled plastic and are 100 percent recyclable. In doing so, we reduce the need for new plastic, and cut down the carbon footprint of our operations.”
The introduction of recycled plastic products builds on the work done by Coca‑Cola under its World Without Waste and Water Stewardship initiatives. The company recently marked the first anniversary of Pakistan’s first plastic road in Islamabad – built using 10 tons of plastic waste - introducing the concept of re-carpeting national roads with plastic waste.