As part of its broader environmental and sustainability efforts, Coca-Cola has been actively engaged in initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable packaging and lightweighting with the launching of its “World Without Waste” initiative launched in January 2018.
The company explained that it aims to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells globally by 2030, maintaining that the ambitious vision not only focuses on improving recycling infrastructure, but also on redesigning and innovating packaging methods to ensure they are 100 percent recyclable.
In Nigeria, the urgent call for environmental preservation is being answered with innovative action. Recognizing the critical need to address the issue of plastic waste-which often finds its way into landfills, posing significant threats to both ecological and human health-Coca-Cola and its bottling partner Nigerian Bottling Company is at the forefront of a transformative shift.
The company is not just rethinking packaging; it’s reshaping its foundation for the benefit of the planet and its own operational excellence. Coca-Cola is on a mission to craft better bottles for today and the future.
A tangible manifestation of this commitment is witnessed in the recent redesign of Coca-Cola Nigeria’s premium Eva® Water bottle. By adopting a lighter design, the new bottle significantly lowers the amount of plastic used.
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This ‘lightweighting’ strategy not only reduces the plastic that could potentially end up in landfills but also substantially reduces the demand for virgin plastic. It represents a major step forward in reducing Coca-Cola’s carbon footprint, fostering a more circular economy where resources are utilized more efficiently, and waste, drastically minimized.
Senior Director of Public Affairs, Communication & Sustainability at Coca-Cola Nigeria, Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating: “Less plastic does not mean less quality. The lightweighting of our bottles is an essential stride towards minimizing our packaging’s plastic content, reducing landfill waste, and crafting a more sustainable planet and hopeful future.”
The initiative has already resulted in a reduction of 3,000 tons of virgin plastic annually, setting a precedent for other companies to emulate. Coca-Cola’s vision is clear: every package it introduces should lead a life beyond its initial use.
By adopting and innovating eco-friendly packaging solutions, the company is not only responding to the increasing consumer demand for sustainability but also actively contributing to a healthier, greener planet for future generations.
The Company stated that while it will work to do its part to help solve the world’s packaging problem, they will continue to collaborate with collection and recycling value chain players, industry, NGOs and government partners to advance its vision of a World Without Waste faster and with a larger positive impact.
