Coca-Cola India looking to attain 100% recyclability in bottles & cans

As part of its 'World Without Waste' campaign, the Coca-Cola Company announced that its India unit intends to achieve 100% recovery as well as recycling of post-consumer used products, that includes cans and bottles in the next 2-3 years.

For those unaware, the company's 'World Without Waste' effort is a global initiative in which it aims to collect and restore all bottles or cans it sells by 2030. One of Coca-Cola Company's three ESG (Environmental, Sustainability, and Governance) initiatives is recycling post-consumer packaging.

Devyani Rajya Laxmi, the Vice President of Public Affairs, Coca-Cola India, mentioned the company's focus is on the bottle and can recovery and recycling, rather than Multi-Layer Plastic.

Meanwhile, Rajesh Ayapilla, the Director of Coca-Cola India's CSR and Sustainability for India stated in 2020, the beverage giant managed to recover approximately 62,825 tonnes of post-consumer packing. The company has also replenished or assisted in the recovery of 36% of bottles and cans, which is the same as what they put on the market in India, the executive added.

Ayapilla further claimed that the company is working with partners to build viable, community-led programs for holistic plastic waste management in India. Coca-Cola India is encouraging waste separation at the source, streamlining collection procedures, and assisting in the development of infrastructure for recycling post-consumer packaging into value-added products.

The company is focusing on the entire packaging lifecycle, how cans and bottles are developed and recycled as well as reused, by focusing on three key goals: design, collect, and partner. By design, the company is making packaging more environmentally friendly, such as by creating lightweight packaging, optimizing recycled content, and introducing creative packaging.

The company has collaborated with organizations, including Saahas, American India Foundation, Chintan, Mahila Sewa Trust (SEWA), and Hasiru Dala Foundations, to establish self-sustaining waste management infrastructure, improve the livelihoods of waste workers involved in the programs by providing labor dignity and social security.

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https://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/coca-cola-india-hopes-to-achieve-100-recycling-of-bottles-cans-in-2-3-yrs-122060600742_1.html