Coca‑Cola takes bold actions on plastic waste

Coca‑Cola and its local bottlers, Coca‑Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) and Coca‑Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB), is taking bold actions on waste by reshaping its approach to packaging through its World Without Waste (WWW) strategy.

The company’s ambitious WWW strategy is to collect and recycle a bottle or can for each one it sells by 2030. Implemented in 2018, WWW focuses on designing better bottles, working to improve collection, as well as partnering with others to work towards a World Without Waste.

In South Africa, the company continued the rollout of its 2L Returnable PET plastic bottle in 2020. The bottle is made from durable and hard-wearing PET that can be refilled and re-used as many times as the product quality standards allow, before being recycled into a new PET bottle. The iconic Sprite bottle was also transformed from green to more easily recyclable clear PET, making more bottles available for recycling. Furthermore, SA’s first water bottle made entirely out of recycled plastic under our Bonaqua brand was launched.

By supporting the recycling sector, The Coca‑Cola Company also helped collect and divert packaging waste from landfills and created economic opportunities for communities across South Africa. Through its bottling partner CCBSA and its support in the South African PET Recycling Company (PETCO), the company has helped introduce waste management solutions in informal sectors and community recycling centres.

This year Coca‑Cola and its local bottlers continued to partner with government, NGOs and others, growing participation in marine litter prevention programmes and beach cleanups. The successful Schools Recycling programme, introduced by CCBSA, continues to educate more than 700 000 learners about recycling.

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During the COVID-19 crisis, relief and support was provided to waste reclaimers, including additional funding across the collection and recycling value chain, PPE, cellphones, laptops, and electronic food vouchers. By providing short-term cashflow relief through PETCO, the company helped prevent community recycling initiatives from collapse due to the COVID-19 crisis.

By closing the loop and giving PET bottles a new life, the company is helping to create a circular economy in South Africa and beyond.