Some of us remember walking into the local caf\u00e9 clutching a brace of empty bottles, watching the owner dip into the till and hand over a refund, which was then gleefully and speedily spent on lollipops and ices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Or, if you had enough, another bottle of Coke. None of us recognised our important role in this early circular economy \u2013 we simply set off to find more empties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few decades later \u2013 give or take three or four \u2013 that role has again become a vital component of a value chain that seeks to create a sustainable, greener future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Coca-Cola Company, recognising its responsibility to help solve the complex plastic waste challenges facing our planet and society, in 2018 launched its ambitious World Without Waste programme to develop a circular economy for its packaging and drive systemic consumer change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Babongile Mandela, Director of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability for Coca-Cola in South Africa, is candid about this platform’s contribution to the circular economy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The global conversation about plastic pollution \u2013 and the call for urgent, collaborative action \u2013 is intensifying. Promoting a circular economy around packaging is an essential component of this collaborative process.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Coca-Cola Company uses multiple packaging formats \u2013 from glass and PET bottles to aluminium cans and refillable packaging \u2013 to give consumers numerous ways to enjoy its beverages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These packaging materials are all recyclable and can therefore be integrated into a circular economy. World Without Waste is an ambitious global sustainable packaging initiative focused on three measurable and interrelated areas \u2013 Design, Collect and Partner \u2013 each supported by additional goals and targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The company\u2019s vision to create a circular economy for its packaging materials requires \u2018designing out\u2019 waste by harnessing the inherent value of recyclable materials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By 2025, innovative packaging design will make 100% of the Company\u2019s packaging recyclable globally, and by 2030, at least 50% recycled material will be used in its packaging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, by 2030, the company aims to have at least 25% of its beverages sold globally by volume in refillable\/returnable glass or plastic bottles or in reusable fountain dispensers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several other initiatives are being explored, including a commercial-scale bio-based plastic packaging plant in Germany using Coca-Cola\u2019s licensed technology to produce a 100% plant-based plastic bottle with a lower carbon footprint than other plastics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In South Africa, its bottling partner, Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA), has introduced a 2-litre returnable\/refillable PET bottle in the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga and parts of the Free State \u2013 and most recently in KwaZulu-Natal \u2013 saving landfill space, reducing the use of virgin PET and saving consumers money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bottling partner Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB) in the Western Cape has used returnable PET bottles since introducing the 1.5-litre pack in 1992. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition, it has invested in a returnable glass bottle (RGB) line and introduced 300ml and 500ml bottles. CCPB supplies 1.5l returnable\/refillable PET bottles in 11 flavours, while RGB bottles are available in numerous flavours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CCBSA reports that consumers are switching to returnable bottles \u2013 going to their local shop, collecting their refund and showing that they, too, recognise the value of the circular economy while also contributing to a world without waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By 2030, Coca-Cola aims to collect and recycle one bottle or can for every one it sells. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is an ambitious goal and in South Africa the company has partnered with the PET Recycling Company (PETCO), an extended producer responsibility organisation for PET, since 2004 to support collection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
PETCO’s recently published 2022 Annual Report identifies the collection and recycling rates for the products its members have registered with the organisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report shows that 121,369 tonnes of packaging was placed on the market by PETCO members in 2022. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of this, 83,967 tonnes (69%) of post-consumer packaging were collected for recycling, and 79,571 tonnes were recycled \u2013 achieving a 66% recycling rate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n