Coca-Cola India has launched a new environmentally friendly initiative with the introduction of its Affordable Small Sparkling Package (ASSP) in 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) bottles. The new 250 ml bottles, starting in Odisha, mark a significant step in the company’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable packaging.
Alok Sharma, Executive Director of Supply Chain at Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages (HCCB), the bottling partner of Coca-Cola, emphasized the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship. “This initiative aligns with our broader vision to scale up sustainable practices and lead the way in shaping a greener future for the beverage industry in India,” said Sharma.
The ASSP initiative is designed to significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with beverage packaging. The use of lightweight rPET material in the new bottles results in a 36% reduction in emissions compared to traditional virgin PET packaging. Furthermore, by shifting from virgin PET to recycled PET, the overall carbon emissions are reduced by 66% compared to non-ASSP packaging using virgin PET.
Coca-Cola’s 100% rPET bottles are now available in over 40 markets globally. Enrique Ackermann, Vice President of Technical Innovation and Supply Chain at Coca-Cola India and Southwest Asia, highlighted the company’s ambition to foster a circular economy for packaging. “With these eco-friendly bottles, we seek to drive a circular economy for packaging, reduce waste and carbon emissions, bringing us closer to the ‘World Without Waste’ goal of making bottles with 50% recycled content by 2030,” Ackermann explained.
The ‘World Without Waste’ program is a cornerstone of Coca-Cola’s sustainability efforts, aiming to collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one sold by 2030. The company also targets to make 100% of its packaging recyclable globally by 2025 and to use at least 50% recycled material in its packaging by 2030.
This new launch is part of Coca-Cola’s broader strategy to integrate sustainability into its business operations and supply chain, demonstrating its commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting a more sustainable future.