Coca-Cola has unveiled the world’s first bottle made from recycled plastics pulled out of the ocean.
The beverage giant has produced 300 sample bottles made from 25 per cent recycled marine plastic collected from the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding beaches,, in partnership with Ioniqa Technologies, PET manufacturer Indorama Ventures, and ocean cleanup organisation Mares Circulares (Circular Seas).
According to Bruno van Gompel, technical and supply chain director for Coca-Cola Western Europe, the bottle is a proof of concept for new enhanced recycling technologies which can break down plastics and strip impurities from low-grade recyclables.
“Enhanced recycling technologies are enormously exciting, not just for us but for industry and society at large. They accelerate the prospect of a closed-loop economy for plastic, which is why we are investing behind them.
“As these begin to scale, we will see all kinds of used plastics returned, as good as new, not just once but again and again, diverting waste streams from incineration and landfill,” he said.
Tonnis Hooghoudt, CEO of Ioniqa Technologies, said that Ioniqa’s enhanced recycling can turn used plastics of any quality back into high-grade material suitable for food and beverage use.
“The impact of enhanced recycling will be felt on a global scale: by working with Coca-Cola and Indorama to produce this bottle, we aim to show what this technology can deliver.
“Our new plant is now operational and we are bringing this technology to scale. In doing so, we aim to eliminate the concept of single use plastic and plastic waste altogether,” said Hooghoudt.
Coca-Cola plans to roll out enhanced recycling in some bottles from next year.
