Turning Hard-to-Recycle Plastic Into New Bottles
In a bid to achieve its sustainability objectives, Coca-Cola is experimenting with a new technology in Europe that can convert hard-to-recycle plastic into brand new bottles.
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, the company’s largest bottler in Europe, is supporting a Dutch startup that aims to manufacture food-safe recycled plastic from plastic waste that would typically be destined for landfill or incineration. This includes materials like films, trays, clothing, and colored packaging.
The initiative will provide an alternative source of recycled material, which is currently both costly and in short supply, leading many companies to rely on plentiful and inexpensive oil for packaging production.
What Is The New Plastic Recycling Process?
CuRe has developed a process which cleanses and partially breaks down plastics, enabling their reassembly into recycled material. This process is called partial depolymerisation, and removes colour from polyester, transforming it into clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET) pellets.
Wouter Vermeulen, the Senior Director of Sustainability and Public Policy in Europe for Coca-Cola
“The Coca-Cola system is committed to reducing our dependency on oil for producing virgin packaging materials and promoting recycling. This new technology is critical to improve access to recycled material for bottles”.
Coca-Cola’s Sustainability Goals
Coca-Cola have various sustainability goals and efforts towards saving harm to our planet. These include:
- Aiming to collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one sold
- Make 100% of their packaging recyclable
- Maximising water conservation and returning 100%+ of water used in their drinks
- Reduce their carbon emissions 25% by 2030 from a 2015 base year.
We Recycle Plastic Waste
Here at Plastic Expert we specialise in recycling various plastic materials, including PET. This means we can help your business recycle bulk loads of waste and increase your sustainability efforts. Our team is dedicated to assisting businesses in reducing their carbon footprint and creating a more efficient approach to waste management.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your recycling requirements and book a collection on a day that suits you.
