Marking their first major investment in a recycling plant in the region, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines Incorporated (CCBPI), Coca-Cola’s bottling arm, announced they will invest PHP 1 billion (USD 19.5 million) in a food-grade recycling facility in the Philippines, that will transform used PET plastic bottles into new, useful beverage bottles. Talks are underway between the company, a local firm and an internationally recognized green technology company for the design of the plant. The new facility is expected to improve PET collection and recycling as well as create more jobs in the waste materials value chain.
The facility comes as a part of the company’s World Without Waste vision, which reflects Coca-Cola’s global pledge to collect and recycle every bottle and can it sells by 2030. The company recently presented a roadmap for a more sustainable business model, including a better bottle design and the aim of reducing plastic waste by collecting, cleaning, sorting and recycling PET plastic bottles, as well as a commitment to ensure its PET bottles are comprised of 50% recycled materials. Their other projects include using renewable Energy and turning half of the company’s packing volume into returnable glass bottles. CCBPI is also a member of the Philippine alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability.
Another part of its commitment is raising awareness and finding solutions to packaging waste working with other companies, organizations, local communities and governments for which the company is currently building partnerships in 12 provinces.
The initiative is timely as the South China Post indicated in 2018 the Philippines is the world’s third largest ocean polluter, despite the existence of a comprehensive waste management act.
(Sources: The Science Times; Philstar Global; Gov.ph)
