Coca Cola has chosen to change all new bottles of Sprite packaging from green to transparent to improve its recyclability in Southeast Asia. Coca Cola said it was in line with the goal of increasing the use of pet plastics in a sustainable way.

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Since its first launch in the Philippines and other Southeast Asian regions in 1968, Sprite packaging has always been green. However, at the UN Environment Programme solutions Sea Conference held near Bangkok, Coca Cola stressed its commitment to recyclability and its interest in pet as a "sustainable solution".

"Compared with the same amount of aluminum and glass, the carbon footprint of PET bottles is actually much lower. If the recycled ingredients are added, the carbon footprint will be further reduced. One recycled PET bottle has even less carbon footprint. " Coca Cola Asia Pacific Communications, sustainable development and public affairs director said.

"So it's very important for the beverage industry to strive for a circular economy, especially for high-value, recyclable plastics like pet." Coca Cola's transformation of Sprite packaging from green to transparent is clearly a step in this direction. The green pet bottle may contain titanium dioxide and other pigments, which will pollute the recycling process.

Coca Cola's Western European market has implemented similar measures. The CEO and founder of the sustainability research company gacircular both made an official statement: "our research in six ASEAN countries shows that the transformation from green pet to transparent PET has greatly improved the value of plastics in the aftermarket, thus improving its ability to maintain a circular economy. The phasing out of green PET beverage packaging is an important suggestion in our new report on accelerating the recycling economy of PET bottles after consumption in Southeast Asia. "

The revision of Sprite packaging will start in the Philippines for a good reason. Plastic packaging is notorious in the Philippines, especially after a large amount of plastic waste swept over Manila in September 2018, most of which is plastic.

Belinda Ford, director of public affairs, public relations and sustainable development of Coca Cola in ASEAN, said: "we started to transform in the Philippines this month, which is our big market in ASEAN * and will expand to other markets in Southeast Asia by 2020. Packaging waste is a major and urgent problem, especially in Southeast Asia. This is a problem that can be solved, and we are working with our partners to take action across Southeast Asia as part of the solution. "

In addition to Southeast Asia, Coca Cola also promotes recycling and circular economy in other regions of the Asia Pacific region.

In March 2019, Coca Cola announced in Australia that by the end of this year, all plastic bottles of 600ml or less will be made of * recycled plastic, including all brands of Coca Cola, Fanta, Sprite, powerade and local water brands pump and mount Franklin.

The beverage industry needs to continue to provide consumers with choices of recyclable packaging forms, and to make it easier and convenient for consumers to become part of the circular economy. Moving towards a circular economy will eventually reduce the demand for raw materials in the industry.