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Coca-Cola North America to launch 100% rPET bottles

Coca-Cola Trademark brands (Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero Sugar, Coca-Cola Flavors) will debut a 13.2-oz. (390.38 ml) bottle made from 100% recycled PET (rPET) plastic this month in California, Florida and select states in the Northeast, with other sparkling beverage brands following this summer.

The new 13.2-oz. bottle – the first-ever Coca-Cola package made from 100% rPET in the United States – uses less plastic and offers a convenient, sippable portion size. “On-the-go consumers have been telling us they want an option like this, because it’s just the right amount for the ‘snacking’ occasion,” said Tammy Lee, brand manager, Coca-Cola Trademark. “We believe this innovation delivers the double benefit of convenience and sustainability.”

Coca-Cola North America’s rPET innovations spans the portfolio and includes multiple brands and packaging sizes:

  • Coca-Cola trademark brands will roll out 20-oz. bottles made with 100% rPET in California, New York and Texas starting this month.
  • Dasani will launch 20-oz. 100% rPET bottles in New York, California and Texas in March.
  • smartwater will launch 20-oz. 100% rPET bottles in New York and California in July.
  • Sprite will launch a 13.2-oz 100% rPET clear bottle in the Northeast, California and Florida this month. All Sprite packaging will transition to clear packaging, which is easier to be recycled and remade into new bottles, by the end of 2022.

Coca-Cola states that combined, these innovations represent a 20 percent reduction in the company’s use of new plastic across its North American portfolio compared to 2018. They will collectively reduce 10,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually in the United States – the equivalent of taking 2,120 cars off the road for one year – based on internal company tools and analyses.