Coca-Cola Marks rPET MilestoneCoca-Cola Marks rPET Milestone

When a global brand like Coca-Cola makes a packaging change the sustainable effects have a far-reaching impact.

This week the company announced the completion of its portfolio expansion for 100% recycled PET (rPET) 20-oz bottles for branded products nationwide that include Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and Coke flavors.

As a result, the company expects to avoid using nearly 80 million pounds of virgin PET in 2024 — the equivalent of nearly 2 billion bottles. This packaging shift reduces energy use, carbon emissions, and waste. It helps the company take steps toward a goal of having 50% recycled content in all bottles and cans by 2030, which is a key pillar of its World Without Waste strategy.  

A prominent new “Recycle Me Again” label acknowledges the bottle contains recycled content and inspires consumers to recycle the bottles so that they may be remade again.

That’s what the circular economy is all about.

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY

The 20-oz 100% recycled plastic Coca-Cola Trademark bottles are available at retailers across the country.

It's the latest in a ongoing series of the brand's rPET bottle developments since 2021. The accompanying slideshow notes that and two other Coca-Cola packaging breakthroughs including a reusable beverage cup pilot this summer.