Coca-Cola (Thailand) Ltd., in collaboration with ThaiNamthip Corporation Limited, has taken another step towards plastic packaging circularity. Building on the successful launch of 1-liter bottles made of recycled PET plastic excluding caps and labels in October 2023, Coca-Cola takes another step on its 'World Without Waste' strategy by introducing 300ml bottles of Coca-Cola Original Taste and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, made from 100% recycled PET plastic excluding caps and labels. By introducing COCA-COLA(TM) bottles made from 100% recycled PET of both 1-liter and 300ml sizes, the company expects to avoid using more than 1,300 tonnes of new plastic in Thailand in 2024.
The newly released 300ml bottle made of recycled plastic provides a convenient option ideal for on-the-go consumption. This initiative seeks to encourage consumers to participate more actively towards packaging circularity.
Both the 1-liter and 300ml bottles are produced from 100% food-grade recycled PET plastic, upholding the high standards consumers expect from Coca-Cola and certified by Thailand's Food and Drug Administration.
Sarut Wittayarungruangsri, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Senior Director, Coca-Cola (Thailand), remarked: "Following the positive feedback on our 1-liter bottles made from 100% recycled PET plastic excluding caps and labels last year, we are thrilled to introduce 300ml 100% recycled PET plastic bottles excluding caps and labels in Thailand. This is another step in our journey as part of our 'World Without Waste' strategy, which aims for all primary consumer packaging to be recyclable by 2025 and to use at least 50% recycled material in our packaging by 2030 worldwide.
The 300ml size is perfectly suited to the Thai consumption lifestyle and offers an excellent opportunity to enhance consumer involvement in recycling, particularly among Gen Z, who are deeply concerned about the environment according to our research. Our goal is also to foster more consumer engagement around recycling and understand the value of a plastic bottle, as this plays a key role in building plastic circularity, together with packaging design and supporting collection and recycling systems."
Puntarika Susuntitapong, Vice President, Public Affairs and Communications, ThaiNamthip Corporation, added: "The introduction of 100% recycled PET bottles excluding caps and labels in October 2023 marked an important milestone in ThaiNamthip's sustainability journey and our efforts in advancing packaging circularity in Thailand. As a bottling partner of The Coca-Cola Company, we are committed to help driving toward its World Without Waste goals, which include using at least 50% recycled material in its packaging by 2030 worldwide. To deliver on our commitment, we have outlined a clear strategy and roadmap to increase our recycled PET footprint. We are proud to bring to market an additional pack size of 300ml bottles that are made from 100% recycled plastic. The strategic pack selection is based on our belief that Gen Z consumers have a high awareness of packaging circularity and that convenience stores are important touch points for consumer engagement, thus our decision to mainly partner with 7-Eleven to introduce the new 100% recycled PET 300ml bottles. We plan to introduce additional 100% recycled PET bottles later in the year as part of our roadmap."
Coca-Cola Original Taste and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar flavors 300ml made from 100% recycled plastic bottles excluding caps and labels will be available at leading convenience stores and supermarkets across central, east, west, north, and northeast Thailand starting May 2024.
For more information about Coca-Cola packaging in Thailand visit https://www.coca-cola.com/th/th/sustainability/what-happens-when-you-recycle-me