Coca-Cola is launching a new bottle size made of 100 percent recycled plastic in North America. Coca-Cola brands Coke, Diet Coke and Coke Zero Sugar will debut a 13.2-oz. bottle made from 100 percent recycled PET (rPET) plastic this month in California, Florida and select states in the Northeast, with other sparkling beverage brands set to follow this summer, the company announced.   

These new bottles will help reduce the company’s use of virgin plastic across its North American portfolio by 20 percent compared to 2018, as per the statement. In 2018, the company had pledged to collect and recycle the equivalent of a bottle or can for every one sold globally by 2030, and to make 100 percent of its packaging recyclable by 2025, and use 50 percent recycled content in bottles by 2030. More than 94 percent  of the company’s North American packaging is currently recyclable. To build awareness and encourage action, all 100 percent rPET package labels will include “Recycle Me Again” messaging. 

“Challenges around plastic packaging waste and recycling continue to be top of mind for our consumers, customers and our system,” said Alpa Sutaria, vice president and general manager, sustainability, North America Operating Unit. “Introducing 100 percent recycled PET bottles is a big proof point of how recycling can help create a circular economy.”

Coca-Cola will roll out 20-oz. bottles made with 100 percent rPET in California, New York and Texas starting February; Dasani will launch 20-oz. 100 percent rPET bottles in New York, California and Texas in March; smartwater will launch 20-oz. 100 percent rPET bottles in New York and California in July; Sprite will launch a 13.2-oz 100 percent rPET clear bottle in the Northeast, California and Florida this month. All Sprite packaging will transition to clear packaging, which is easier to be recycled and remade into new bottles, by the end of 2022.