Coca-Cola says biodegradable packaging 'not a viable option'

Coca-Cola said earlier this month that biodegradable packaging is“simply not a viable option” but a new report suggests that other smaller drinks companies are beginning to take an interest.

In its 2009/2010 sustainability report, Coca-Cola gave a hostile assessment of biodegradable drinks packaging. It said: “A one-use bottle is simply not a viable option for our business.”

The soft drinks giant explained: “While biodegradable packaging can be a sound choice for products that are not commercially recyclable, the process of capturing the embodied energy and raw materials in beverage bottles for reuse through recycling is, in our view, a much better option.”

But according to a new report on drinks biopackaging from Zenith International not all manufacturers agree with Coca-Cola.

High growth rates

The food and drinks consultancy said the use of biopackaging, defined in the report as compostable packaging, rose by 47 per cent in Western Europe and North America last year. This takes total volume to over 100 million litres – a small proportion of total volume but a large percentage increase nonetheless.

“Despite the difficulties, we foresee continuing strong growth in development projects. If the challenges can be answered, then volume can gain serious market share”, said Jenny Foulds, a senior analyst at Zenith.

Foulds said the environmental credentials of compostable bottles, typically made from corn-based PLA (polylactic acid), sit well with green-minded consumers.

Persistent challenges

This provides a powerful basis for future growth but challenges such as price, separation from PET and composting facilities persist.

These factors have so far prevented compostable solutions from becoming the green solution of choice for drinks manufacturers. “The use of recycled PET continues to gain momentum and has overtaken compostable bottle formats,”said Foulds.

Read more…

Beverage Packaging News: Recycling, Vitaminwater and sustainability

Recycling not always lowest-carbon option for PET bottles

For countries with adequate space and little recycling infrastructure, disposing of bottles in landfill generates a lower carbon footprint than recycling or incineration. SRI Consulting (SRIC) has introduced “PET’s Carbon Footprint: To Recycle or Not To Recycle,” an independent evaluation of the carbon footprint of PET bottles with an analysis of secondary packaging from cradle to grave and from production of raw materials through to disposal.

Coca-Cola: The Dark Side of Vitaminwater

Now here's something you wouldn't expect. Coca-Cola is being sued by a non-profit public interest group, on the grounds that the company's vitaminwater products make unwarranted health claims. No surprise there. But how do you think the company is defending itself?

In a staggering feat of twisted logic, lawyers for Coca-Cola are defending the lawsuit by asserting that "no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking vitaminwater was a healthy beverage."

94% of Americans concerned about eco-effects of beverage purchases

A recent BeveragePulse.com report found that 94% of Americans are concerned about the long-term effects that their packaged beverage purchases and consumption have on the environment.

The free study, by Concept Catalysts and iModerate Research Technologies, also shows that recycling was cited frequently (45%) as the most important environmental concern for packaged beverages. Health concerns and economic issues also contribute to recent category declines in packaged beverage purchases.

Des stations vertes au Québec pour renforcer la consigne ?

Au Québec, le débat sur la consigne des canettes et bouteilles suscite bien des discussions. La Commission des transports et de l'environnement s’est rangée du côté des grandes chaînes de supermarchés, de l'Association des détaillants en alimentation, des propriétaires de dépanneurs, de la Société des alcools du Québec (SAQ) et de l'Association des restaurateurs du Québec, pour éliminer la consigne des canettes d'aluminium et des bouteilles de plastique.

Des initiatives lancées à l’étranger pourraient inspirer le Québec, à l’instar de celle-ci récemment lancée en France.

Le centre commercial La Renaissance propose des bons de réduction au consommateur qui ramène ses déchets d’emballages recyclables

Le nouveau centre commercial La Renaissance Auchan Blois Vineuil, inauguré le 9 septembre 2009, s’est doté, en partenariat avec Coca-Cola Entreprise et BCME (Beverage Can Makers Europe), d’un équipement innovant et inédit en France : une « Station verte » nouvelle génération. Située sur le parking du magasin Auchan, elle permet de récompenser par des bons de réduction, les clients qui trient et rapportent leurs déchets.

Un système de tri efficace

Cette station, est très simple d’utilisation : le consommateur peut y ramener l’ensemble de ses déchets d’emballages recyclables. La station comporte en effet 2 points classiques de collecte en conteneur semi-enterrés pour les cartons, papiers (journaux, magazines…), et les bouteilles en verre mais propose surtout un service innovant pour le consommateur qui ramène ses bouteilles plastique, canettes et boîtes de conserve et les dépose dans l’ouverture prévue à cet effet.

L’automate intégré dans la station, conçu par la société Tomra, reconnaît les emballages déposés, les trie et les compacte sur place. Les bouteilles en plastique d’une part, les canettes et boîtes de conserve d’autre part sont ensuite récupérées par les équipes du magasin et entrent dans le circuit de collecte mis en place par l’agglomération de Blois pour être recyclées.

Une récompense pour le consommateur

En fonction du nombre de bouteilles ou canettes qu’il rapporte, le consommateur reçoit un bon de réduction à utiliser dans l’hypermarché sur la base d’1 ct par contenant déposé. Il a également la possibilité de faire un geste pour l’environnement en renonçant à son gain, le magasin effectuant alors un don du même montant au Comité Départemental de la Protection de la Nature et de l'Environnement (CDPNE) du Loir et Cher.

---

Coca Cola's Bioplastic PlantBottle Coming Later this Year

Via SustainableisGood

The Coca-Cola Company recently took the first steps towards what CEO Muhlar Kent said was their, "vision to eventually introduce bottles made with materials that are 100 percent recyclable and renewable."

Kent was referring to the company's new PlantBottle due out sometime later this year in select markets holding their Dasani brand bottled water and sparking brands. Coke's Vitaminwater is expected to follow - being packaged in the PlantBottle sometime next year.

---

The PlantBottle is currently made through an innovative process that turns sugar cane and molasses, a by-product of sugar production, into a key component for PET plastic.

---

Manufacturing the new plastic bottle is more environmentally efficient as well. A life-cycle analysis conducted by Imperial College London indicates the PlantBottle with 30 percent plant-based material reduces carbon emissions by up to 25 percent, compared with petroleum-based PET.

--

According to the company, another advantage to the PlantBottle is that, unlike other plant-based plastics, it can be processed through existing manufacturing and recycling facilities without contaminating traditional PET.

--
Consumers can identify the innovative bottles through on-package messages and in-store point of sale displays. Web-based communications will also highlight the bottles' environmental benefits.

---
Coca Cola faces a challenge with its new bottle concept from the recycling industry who have long been concerned about contamination from bio and other types of plastics. Industry groups are concerned the current recycling system in the US is not equipped to adequately handle bio plastics.

---

Bottles news of the week: Recyclable and renewable

The "PlantBottle™»: Innovative bottle made from renewable, recyclable, plant based plastic


The Coca-Cola Company unveiled today a new plastic bottle made partially from plants. The "PlantBottle™" is fully recyclable, has a lower reliance on a non-renewable resource, and reduces carbon emissions, compared with petroleum-based PET plastic bottles.

Traditional PET bottles are made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. The new bottle is made from a blend of petroleum-based materials and up to 30 percent plant-based materials.

The "PlantBottle™" is currently made through an innovative process that turns sugar cane and molasses, a by-product of sugar production, into a key component for PET plastic. Coca-Cola is also exploring the use of other plant materials for future generations of the "PlantBottle™."

Manufacturing the new plastic bottle is more environmentally efficient as well. A life-cycle analysis conducted by Imperial College London indicates the "PlantBottle™" with 30 percent plant-base material reduces carbon emissions by up to 25 percent, compared with petroleum-based PET.

Another advantage to the "PlantBottle™" is that, unlike other plant-based plastics, it can be processed through existing manufacturing and recycling facilities without contaminating traditional PET. So, the material in the "PlantBottle™" can be used, recycled and reused again and again.

Green Label bottles: 36% lighter, 100% recyclable and create 29% fewer greenhouse gas emissions


One of the premium wine brands of Australian-based drinks manufacturer and exporter Fosters Group is now available in a 750ml PET bottle that the company says has significant environmental advantages.

The company said the PET bottles, when empty, were about one-tenth the weight of a comparable standard glass bottle.

Fosters claims the new bottles are shatterproof and have been subjected to a “full life-cycle analysis” by Melbourne-based environmental consultant Net Balance Management Group.

The consultancy analysed potential greenhouse gas emissions from all stages of the winemaking process, from grape growing to bottling, transport, and recycling and disposal of the bottles and cardboard stock cartons.

Fosters said the results show the Green Label bottles are 36 percent lighter, 100 percent recyclable and create 29% fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
---

Coca-Cola UK Details Carbon Footprint

Coca-Cola today released details of the carbon footprint of some of its most popular drinks: ‘Coca-Cola', ‘diet Coke' and ‘Coke Zero'. It is the first time that the carbon footprint of any brand of sparkling drinks has been certified by the Carbon Trust.

The results reveal that a 330ml can of ‘Coca-Cola' sold in Great Britain has a carbon footprint of 170 grams and the same sized can of ‘diet Coke' or ‘Coke Zero' has a footprint of 150 grams. A 330ml glass bottle of ‘Coca-Cola' has a footprint of 360 grams.

The research also revealed how packaging accounts for the largest portion of the drink's carbon footprint, between 30 - 70%, depending on the type of container used. However, the research went on to highlight the importance of both using recycled content and of encouraging recycling post use. A combination of these two factors can decrease the overall carbon footprint of a product by up to 60%.

Read full Press Release

---

Packaging of the week: Resealable beverage can

The Ball Resealable End (BRE) is an aluminum can end with an integrated flat, plastic opening mechanism. A simple rotating movement uncovers the opening. The BRE is the world's first resealable can, and makes it possible to reseal a beverage can without losing the benefits of a can (stacking, vending, shelf life, recycling etc.). Cans with the BRE are tamper-resistant, and consumers can easily verify that the seal has not been broken.

The resealable can was named 'Can of the Year' during 'The Canmaker Summit Conference' in Warsaw, Poland. The product was prepared for worldwide production in collaboration with Ball Packaging Europe and Coca-Cola.
---

Le tournant vert de Coca-Cola : Réduction et Recyclage

D’après Green Biz, Coca-Cola Enterprises, l’embouteilleur de la multinationale Coca-Cola s’apprête à augmenter le contenu en matières recyclées des canettes en aluminium et des bouteilles en PET. De plus Coca-Cola entreprises entend réduire le poids des bouteilles en verre.

" Coca-Cola Enterprises, a bottler for the Coca-Cola Company, is creating a recycling stream for turning used bottles into new ones and has plans to reduce the weight and virgin content of bottles.

Although its aluminum can contain more than 50 percent reycled content and its glass bottles have up to 45 percent recycled content, its PET plastic bottles are made up of only 3.6 percent recycled material.

The company attributes that the high demand for recycled PET by other industries and a lack of food-grade recycled plastic. By 2010, Coca-Cola Enterprises wants its PET bottles to have 10 percent recycled content. To meet that goal, the Coca-Cola Company is building a bottle-to-bottle recycling plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Coca-Cola Recycling is developing a supply stream to funnel high-quality PET for recycling.

Coca-Cola Enterprises also plans to roll out lighter glass bottle in Great Britain. Last year the company introduced bottles that were 20 percent lighter. By the end of this year, 43 percent of its glass bottles will be the lighter option, and that's expected to grow to 60 percent by 2010.

Two of the company's larger waste goals include recycling or recovering more than 90 percent of waste from production facilities by 2010 and recycling the equivalent to all of its packaging. One facility in the U.S. and 11 in Europe already recycle or recover 90 percent or more of their waste.

Coca Cola Enterprises details its goals and achievements in its recent 2007 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report (PDF).

The company also plans to calculate its carbon footprint in all of the countries it operates in and set emission reduction goals this year. And by 2010 the company hopes to improve its water use ratio by 10 percent. Last year it used 1.77 liters of water for each liter of beverage produced. To cut that down, the company will invest $15 million in new technology, including recycling and reclaiming processes in water treatment systems.

---