PACKAGING

The KeelClip packaging solution made from recyclable cardboard replaces plastic rings for multi-packs

Packaging solutions

Our company offers beverages in a variety of packaging formats – glass and plastic bottles, aluminum cans and refillable packaging. Each option can play a role in helping reduce packaging waste and emissions. We are focusing efforts to use more recycled material in our primary packaging and supporting collection rates, both of which require enabling policies and the growth of collection infrastructure. 

We aim to focus on measurable and interconnected actions under two pillars:

Design

Aim to use 35% to 40% recycled material* in our primary packaging (plastic, glass and aluminum), including increasing recycled plastic use to 30% to 35% globally by 2035.

New Sustainable Packaging Design

Partner to Collect

Help ensure the collection of 70% to 75% of the equivalent number of bottles and cans introduced into the market annually by 2035.

Coca-Cola recycling bin as part of the World without Waste program

62% of the equivalent bottles and cans we introduced into the market in 2023 were collected and refilled or collected for recycling.

We aim to continue to focus on increased advocacy for well-designed collection systems, as these are often the most efficient ways to improve packaging collection rates.

Recycling collectors in Brazil sort and bag materials

90% of our packaging was recyclable globally in 2023

We are focused on ensuring our primary packaging is recyclable.

Recyclable plastic bits

Partnering to reduce waste

Global challenges like plastic waste and pollution are far too great for any single government, company, or industry to solve individually. Through collaboration with local and global partners, The Coca‑Cola Company will continue to expand its design innovations, explore new collection models or improve existing ones, invest in local infrastructure and engage with policymakers.

Bottles of Panta Mig Igen brand

Timeline

Introduced first-ever plastic bottle made with recycled content

Formed PET Recycling Company (PETCO), the South African plastic industry’s initiative to recycle 100% of its PET plastic output

Introduced PlantBottle, using 30% plant-based materials in place of petroleum

Invested in major expansion of PetStar, now the largest food-grade PET bottle-to-bottle recycling plant in the world

Introduced Mexican bottled water brand Ciel in 100% recycled plastic bottles

Launched South African PETCO model in Kenya, in partnership with Kenya Association of Manufacturers

Co-founded World Economic Forum Global Plastic Action Partnership

Invested in Circulate Capital, an impact-investment firm aiming to keep plastic waste out of the world’s oceans

Shared proprietary technology behind PlantBottle to foster bioplastics in packaging

The Coca‑Cola Foundation announced USD $5.4 million in grants to support innovative recycling pilots in seven U.S. locales

Initiated the creation of PETCO Ethiopia—the Ethiopian plastic industry’s initiative to recycle 100% of its PET plastic output

Coca‑Cola Vietnam partnered with several leading food and beverage companies to establish the country’s first industry-led Packaging Recovery Organization

The Coca‑Cola Australia Foundation announced grants of up to USD $600,000 to tackle marine pollution in Australian coastal and inland waterways

Coca‑Cola Beverages Philippines (CCBP) announced investment in a new bottle-to-bottle recycling facility that will be operational in 2021

ALBA Group Asia Limited, Baguio Waste Management & Recycling Limited and Swire Coca‑Cola Limited broke ground on a joint venture to build Hong Kong’s first food-grade PET and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic recycling plant

Coca‑Cola India joined peer companies as a key stakeholder to set up India’s first industry-formed, -owned and -managed multi-material packaging recycling organization — Circular Sustainability Solutions Private Limited — with the goal of collecting half a million metric tons of used packaging by 2025

Introduced minimalist paperboard packaging solution KeelClip™ for multipack cans in Europe, expected to save 2,000 tons of plastic and 3,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually

PRAISE (Packaging and Recycling Alliance for Indonesia Sustainable Environment) announced the Packaging Recovery Organization for Indonesia to improve plastic collection and recycling

As of end of year 2019, 16 markets offered beverages packaged in 100% recycled PET (rPET) bottles

Nearly 30 markets offer beverages packaged in 100% recycled PET (rPET) bottles*
*Excludes cap & label

Set a new goal to reduce our use of virgin plastic derived from non-renewable sources by a cumulative 3 million metric tons over the next five years

The Coca‑Cola Company announced updated environmental goals, including for packaging, focusing efforts to use more recycled material in its primary packaging and supporting collection rates, both of which require enabling policies and the growth of collection infrastructure.

* The company will continue to comply with local regulations, including where higher percentages of recycled content are required.