Coca-Cola aims to recycle all clear plastic waste at London 2012

Coca-Cola has unveiled bold plans to recycle all clear PET plastic, both Coke and non-Coke branded, at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as part of their environmental commitments. Coca-Cola is working in association with Sita UK, the Games organising committee’s  waste management partner, to recycle all clear PET plastic waste from the Olympic Park, using it within 80m new Coke bottles that will be produced within six weeks of the Closing Ceremony.

Estimates suggest that this will translate to one fifth of the consumer waste produced at London 2012 venues, taking LOCOG a considerable way towards delivering its target of sending zero waste to landfill with at least 70% of all waste being reused, recycled or composted.

Colourless PET plastic waste will be recycled at Continuum Recycling, Coca-Cola Enterprises’ new joint venture recycling facility with Eco Plastics.

Based in North Lincolnshire, Continuum Recycling will open in early 2012 – more than doubling the current production of food grade recycled PET plastic in the UK from 35,000 tonnes in 2010 to more than 75,000 tonnes.

Other key commitments made by the Coca-Cola System include:

• At all London 2012 venues, packaged Coca-Cola products will be served in 100% recyclable plastic bottles which will contain up to 25% recycled content (rPET)
• Coca-Cola, Diet Coke and Coke Zero drinks will be served in PlantBottle packaging containing up to 22.5% plant based material as well as 25% rPET
• Coca-Cola will work with LOCOG and WRAP to trial a new, simple waste system that it hopes will become a blueprint for major sporting events in the future
• Coca-Cola has placed 260 recycling bins in locations around the centre of London.  On Oxford Street alone, these bins are collecting over a tonne of recyclable material every day

Sustainable journey
Coca-Cola is working in association with WWF at every stage of it journey to London 2012 and has incorporated their environmental recommendations into its sustainability strategy.

Coca-Cola country manager Jon Woods said: “London 2012 provides a spectacular opportunity for everyone in the UK to raise the bar on sustainability. Coca-Cola is the longest continuous sponsor of the Olympic Movement.

“We know from experience that our sponsorship can inspire our own business to take a leap forward in sustainability, and we’re committed to building on what we’ve learnt to help LOGOG make London 2012 the most sustainable Games of modern times.

“When the eyes of four billion people are turned on London next year, we will use the appeal of our brands along with our scale and reach to showcase our cutting edge sustainability programmes, and inspire our consumers, partners and suppliers to live more sustainable lifestyles.”

‘Biogas trucks’
Coca-Cola managing director Simon Baldry said: “All our products for the Olympic Park and trade customers in the London area will be distributed from a new, more environmentally-friendly Voltaic warehouse in Dagenham.

“They will be picked up and delivered using 14 new biogas trucks, and chilled in HFC-free coolers complete with doors and LED lighting.

“We estimate that these investments will cut the carbon footprint of our distribution at the Games by a third.

WWF 2012 spokesman Simon Lewis, 2012 said: “It is exciting to see The Coca-Cola Company harnessing the power of London 2012 as a force for good – something that is in all of our interests.”

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