Nairobi – Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) in Kenya has accelerated the shift towards sustainable packaging with the introduction of clear plastic bottles for Dasani water.
CCBA, the biggest bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company in Africa, is setting the pace for the beverages industry as it expands the use of clear PET polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles.
To date, CCBA has rolled out Sprite Clear plastic bottles in South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia and Tanzania, followed by a switch from light blue to clear PET for Ambo mineral water in Ethiopia, and now Dasani water in Kenya.
Clear PET bottles are easier to recycle than coloured PET bottles which means more plastic bottles will be recycled to make new ones. This is part of Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste vision, which aims to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells by 2030.
The clear PET plastic also contributes to economic empowerment as it will have more value for waste recyclers who depend on collecting and selling plastic packaging waste for their livelihood.
“Coca-Cola’s World Without Waste initiative represents Coca-Cola’s commitment to doing business sustainably, which includes addressing the packaging waste challenge,” said Public Affairs, Communication and Sustainability Director, John Mwendwa.
“The clear PET can be made into new bottles as well as a wide range of new products, such as pillow and duvet inners, making it more valuable than coloured PET, which has limited uses.
“It is a big step forward in creating a circular economy for plastic waste by giving it value, which in turn incentivises people to collect and recycle which generates income,” Mwendwa said.
As part of its support for the circular economy, CCBA has played a leading role in establishing Producer Responsibility Organisations (PRO) in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Ethiopia.
“Building a circular green economy enables recycling and initiates partnerships with communities and other stakeholders in a collaborative effort, creating sustainable employment at grassroots level and helping to solve the world’s plastic waste problem at the same time,” said Mwendwa.
“At CCBA, we are a proud industry leader in developing increasingly sustainable ways to manufacture, distribute and sell our products.
“Our aim is to create greater shared opportunity for the business and the communities we serve across the value-chain.”
*Update* On December 2, 2024, The Coca-Cola Company announced updated voluntary environmental goals. Read more here: The Coca-Cola Company Evolves Voluntary Environmental Goals
