Following Pepsi and Nestle, Coca Cola is entering the race for the greenest water bottle. The company said last week that it will introduce a new plant-based plastic bottle, which is to debut in North America later this year, the Associated Press reported.
The so-called “PlantBottle” will be made from a mixture of petroleum-based materials and up to 30 percent plant-based materials, such as sugar cane and molasses. The fully recyclable packaging will be tested in target North American markets with Coca-Cola Co.’s leading water brand and certain sparkling brands.
Coca Cola is the latest major drink maker to try to boost its eco-friendly credentials through alternative packaging. In March, PepsiCo. Inc. said it would use lighter bottles for Aquafina, while Nestle Waters North America already sells lighter Ozarka water bottles in certain states.
Traditional plastic bottles are made from a petroleum-based resin known as polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. About one billion PET bottles are drained every week with only 18 percent to 23 percent being recycled, according to the Container Recycling Institute.
Source: Yahoo News, The Columbus Dispatch