Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland has said that it plans to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle or can it sells, across the island of Ireland by 2030.
The announcement is a part of a new initiative World Without Waste which has set out an ambitious global strategy in the area of packaging collection.
“Across the island of Ireland, all the bottles and cans we sell are already 100% recyclable and should therefore never end up as litter,” Louise Sullivan, public affairs and communications director at Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Northern Ireland said.
“We are also doing more to reduce the amount of plastic in our bottles overall and to integrate more recycled content into our packs to create a true circular economy for plastic.”
The group said that it has already began its journey to integrate recycled plastic (rPET) into its bottles, and by the end of 2019, it expects to have at least 25% rPET across its portfolio.
Coastal Programmes
“And finally, we recognise that we can’t do all of this alone, so we are partnering with those groups and stakeholders that can help us have the most impact on,” explains Sullivan.
“We have worked with An Taisce and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful for more than a decade on the Clean Coasts programme – supporting volunteers to keep our coastline free of litter. “
Big Beach Clean
In 2018, the group also contributed to the Big Beach Clean, which saw more than 400 employees across the island take to local beaches in a mass clean-up.
Organised by An Taisce’s Clean Coasts programme and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, Coca‑Cola staff based in Dublin, Ballina, Wexford, Drogheda, Lisburn, Cork and Tuam got involved in the event.
Kian Egan and Colin Murphy also contributed to the effort on the day and Irish retailer Centra also promoted the event, with 65 stores across Ireland giving those who register the option of picking up their beach clean kit from their local stores.
'Behavioural Change'
We are also using the power of our brands to encourage greater behavioural change and consumer awareness.
She explains: “We have integrated recycling messages across all Coca-Cola and Deep RiverRock advertising and on-pack, and we are working closely with our retail partners to raise awareness of our actions in-store, among consumers.”
What Next?
Sullivan highlighted that Coca-Cola HBC are aware of the publics concern about plastic and the impact it can have on the environment when it’s disposed of incorrectly.
"The majority of our consumers want refreshment in a light, resealable pack, and bottles continue to play an important role in getting our products safely to market," Sullivan highlights.
"However, we also recognise that we must show leadership in making our bottles as sustainable as possible."
Authentic Commitment
Talbot highlights that she believes that any market-leading business can operate successfully without an authentic commitment to sustainable and responsible operations.
"Our plant in Knockmore Hill, Lisburn serves the island of Ireland market and since opening this facility, we have tangibly reduced our impact on the environment," she outlines.
"In 2010, we set ambitious environmental sustainability targets and gave ourselves 10 years to achieve them."
The said targets were reportedly set against recycling and waste, energy usage and water conservation.
"We are proud to report that we have already made extensive progress, even achieving some of our targets ahead of schedule," Sullivan concludes.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. Click sign-up to subscribe to Checkout.
