Coca-Cola today announced an industry-first goal to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells globally by 2030.
The company and its global network of bottling partners will tackle the ambitious goal, which is part of a holistic plan called “World Without Waste,” through a renewed focus on the entire packaging lifecycle – from how bottles and cans are designed and made, to how they’re recycled and repurposed.
“Consumers around the world care about our planet. They want and expect companies like ours to be leaders and help make a litter-free world possible,” said James Quincey, president and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company. “Through our ‘World Without Waste’ vision, we are investing in our planet and in in our packaging to help make the world’s packaging problem a thing of the past.” Read Quincey's op-ed titled "Why a World Without Waste is Possible."
The company’s "World Without Waste" vision is the next step in a broader strategy to grow with conscience by doing business the right way, not just the easy way.
To that end, Coca-Cola announced in 2016 that it was the first Fortune 500 company to give back to nature and communities an estimated 115 percent of the water used to make its drinks. The company and its bottling partners achieved the target five years ahead of schedule.
'Consumers around the world care about our planet. They want and expect companies like ours to be leaders and help make a litter-free world possible. Through our ‘World Without Waste’ vision, we are investing in our planet and in in our packaging to help make the world’s packaging problem a thing of the past.' – James Quincey, president and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company
“And we don’t intend to stop there,” Quincey said.
To help improve recycling rates, Coke will apply its global marketing muscle to help educate the public on what, how and where to recycle. The company also will continue to team with local communities, NGOs, industry peers and consumers to help make recycling easier and more accessible for everyone by improving local recycling systems and driving policy change that supports a truly circular economy.
These investments are paying off. In 2016, Mexico recycled 57 percent of the PET plastic it produced (up from 9 percent in 2002), making it the leading country globally for PET recycling.
“We believe every package – regardless of where it comes from – has value and life beyond its initial use,” Quincey added. “If something can be recycled, it should be recycled. So we want to help people everywhere understand how to do their part.”
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